General News
23 June, 2024
Local heroes: Medal pair first to help
TWO men who attempted to rescue a woman trapped in a car accident have received the Royal Humane Society Of Australasia’s Bronze Medal for Bravery. Greg Keegan and Peter McClelland were invested with the awards by Victoria’s Lieutenant...
TWO men who attempted to rescue a woman trapped in a car accident have received the Royal Humane Society Of Australasia’s Bronze Medal for Bravery.
Greg Keegan and Peter McClelland were invested with the awards by Victoria’s Lieutenant Government Professor James Angus at Government House last Thursday.
Leading Senior Constable Denis Farrell, of Tarnagulla, had nominated the pair for their efforts at the fatal crash scene at Moliagul on March 27, 2020.
“These men arrived at the scene and attempted a rescue of the driver whilst the vehicle was on fire,” Senior Constable Farrell said.
Greg had been returning to his Moliagul home after a day gold prospecting while Peter, of Dunolly, had been kilometres from home after checking 2000 sheep on agistment at Birchip.
They were first on the scene and tried to free the trapped driver of the burning vehicle.
“In the end, the fire forced us back,” the two said this week.
Peter said: “I used to drive trucks but had never seen an accident like this before.”
He agreed with Greg who said: “We didn’t do anything exceptional. Growing up in the country, you stop to help when there is an accident.”
“If you see an accident, you do the best you can,” said Greg.
Peter and Greg said they were surprised when Senior Constable Farrell later asked them to sign forms agreeing to the bravery award nomination. “I also attended the scene as the first responder and forward commander,” Senior Constable Farrell said.
“As a result of the collision investigation, I forwarded my recommendations to the Royal Humane Society for Greg and Peter to be recognised for their bravery. Local CFA units, SES, Ambulance Victoria, other police units and other members of the public stopped to assist, all helping greatly in a very stressful situation.”
Greg and Peter said their awards were tinged with sadness as the driver was unable to be saved and died at the scene. The 2020 accident happened on the Dunolly-Moliagul Road about 7.30pm. The first of Victoria’s COVID lockdowns had started the previous day in Melbourne.
Senior Constable Farrell joined Greg and Peter for last week’s investiture.