31 March 2004

Press release

Mayor to present bravery awards

Two Auckland Regional Council rangers involved in daring rescues are to receive bravery awards from Waitakere City Council.

Mayor Bob Harvey will present local rangers Andy Pedersen and Brian Chamberlain with certificates of bravery at tonight’s Council meeting.

Mr Pedersen’s award recognises a solo rescue attempt at Karekare Beach, where he saved three women from drowning in the rugged west coast surf.

Although he called through to the Arataki Visitor Centre asking for assistance from the Westpac rescue helicopter, the Piha man realised the distressed women may not survive until help arrived. He stripped off his uniform and swam out to the women, bringing them back to shore, one by one, through the breakers. By the time the helicopter arrived, all three women were safe on the beach.

Mr Chamberlain’s award recognises the time he spent with a car crash victim, whose vehicle had gone over a bank on Huia Road.

Despite the presence of smoke and discovering a fuel can on the back seat, Mr Chamberlain stayed with the badly injured driver for almost an hour until emergency services arrived to cut her free from the wreckage.

“These men selflessly risked their own lives in order to help others in trouble and the City is taking the opportunity to officially recognise that bravery,” says Mayor Harvey.

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