When Sergeant Brett Neal couldn’t find a way to get an unconscious man out of a burning vehicle, he leaned in and covered him with his own body until fire services arrived.
Brett’s selfless act of bravery was recognised at Government House earlier this month, where he was presented with a Royal Humane Society of New Zealand Silver Medal.
Brett says he didn’t really think about the risk, he just saw somebody who needed his help.
It happened on a rainy Tuesday night in 2016, when a driver failed to take a corner and crashed into a tree in Northwood, Christchurch, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and trapping him inside.
Brett and his I-car partner, Constable Erin Bermingham, heard the job come over the radio. They were closer than the unit that was dispatched, so they finished what they were doing and headed straight there.
“As we approached, I could see a car up against a tree with fire coming out of the bonnet,” Brett says. “As we pulled up, two bystanders came up to us saying there was a guy inside.”
The two bystanders had called emergency services then broken the car window to pull the unconscious driver free, but without success. Brett and Erin quickly joined their efforts.
“The driver’s side of the vehicle was up against the tree,” Brett says. “I tried opening the passenger door, but it was jammed shut. Same with the rear passenger door.
“I could see the driver slumped over the steering wheel and the flames were coming in over the bonnet into his face. I tried to rouse him but couldn’t, so Erin got a fire extinguisher, but it wasn’t enough.”
With every passing moment the flames grew stronger, so Brett made a split decision that potentially saved the man’s life.
“I thought, the only way this man is going to survive is if I put myself between him and the flames.
“I knew the car wasn’t going to explode like you see in movies. In all my years as a volunteer fire fighter I’ve never seen that happen.”
Brett leaned in the passenger window and saw that the man’s legs were jammed under the dash, which had been crushed in the crash.
“It was getting quite hot – the flames were going over me and across the ceiling of the car.
“I could see his legs were starting to steam, so I wrapped myself around his chest and face, and waited for the fire service to turn up.”
He held this position until the fire service arrived.
Thanks to the efforts of Brett, Erin and the two bystanders, the driver escaped without serious injury.
Erin and the two bystanders are also being recognised for their role in this incident. Unfortunately, Erin’s medal is stuck in transit and will be presented at a later date. The two bystanders will receive their awards from the Mayor of Christchurch.
“On reflection, I’m proud of our actions,” Brett says. “I don’t think there was much more we could have done with the gear we had.
“I’m just pleased the driver of that vehicle got to go home to his family. It could easily have turned out very differently if it weren’t for the quick actions of everyone involved.”
Brett’s Royal Humane Society Silver Medal citation reads: The actions of Constable Bermingham and Sergeant Neal in attempting to evacuate the trapped driver from a volatile vehicle fire and protecting him from the flames prevented the driver from being severely burnt and possibly dying.