The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand will present three Hamilton Police officers with bravery awards at tomorrow’s ceremony.
The awards are in recognition of their efforts during three separate rescues from the Waikato River.
Acting District Commander Inspector Greg Nicholls will be attending the ceremony, along with a number of other Police representatives:
“Despite these rescues involving a team effort from all emergency services, Constables Cvitanich, Harrison and Polglase had just moments to make the decisions they did during these rescues.”
Constable Roger Cvitanich
Constable Roger Cvitanich will receive a Bronze Medal for his actions in rescuing a woman from the Waikato River near Cobham Drive Bridge late one evening in winter 2014.
Constable Cvitanich entered the water when he heard a splash and swam out under the bridge, into the dark, fast-flowing river, which was in flood. Guided only by the torchlight coming from his colleagues above, he found her and towed her to the eastern bank of the river.
Due to the bush terrain, he was unable to climb out of the water and he had to remain there semi submerged trying to keep her conscious until the Police boat arrived.
Constable Mark Harrison
Constable Mark Harrison will be presented a Bronze Medal for his actions rescuing a teenage girl from the Waikato River near the Fairfield Bridge in February 2015.
In response to an emergency call, Constable Harrision made his way down to the water’s edge near the walkway on River Road, where he could hear a girl in the water struggling to stay afloat. When he saw the girl submerge and feared she would not resurface, Constable Harrison removed his protective vest and then jumped, fully clothed, into the water.
With a torch in his mouth, he swam towards her. Just before he reached her, she went under again and began to sink. He had to pull her up to the surface by her hair and other officers waded into waist deep water to assist pulling both of them to the bank. She had shallow breathing, was semi-conscious, coughing up water and going into shock. She was unable to answer any questions and was mumbling incoherently.
Fire rescue staff were called to assist with retrieving the girl and ambulance staff transported her to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Constable Christopher Polglase
Constable Christopher Polglase will receive a Certificate of Merit in acknowledgement of his actions to rescue an elderly man who fell in to the river from Whitiora Bridge in December 2014.
When notified, Constable Polglase went down to a park area downstream, and located the man floating face down in the water. Removing his safety vest, he entered the water and swam out to him. He supported the man who was unresponsive and showing no signs of life.
They had drifted 250 metres downstream before Constable Polglase was assisted in pulling the man to the shore. Sadly, the man was confirmed dead at the scene by a doctor walking nearby.
Conditions in the Waikato River are hazardous and unpredictable, with deep water and strong currents, posing a significant risk to any person attempting a rescue.
Nicholls says: “In choosing to risk their own lives by entering the dangerous local waters, two lives were saved, and two families were saved from the grief of losing a loved one.”
“I am very proud of the actions of all three police officers and it’s an honour to witness them being recognised for their bravery.”
The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand was established in 1898 with the principle function of recognising and rewarding those who risk their own lives to save the lives of others.
Nominations are made by members of the public, the Fire Service, Coroners, Police and other local authorities.
Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker will present the awards at tomorrow’s [Friday 29 July] ceremony, which will be held in the Hamilton City Council chamber at 1pm.
ENDS
Police Media Centre
For any media enquiries, please contact Josie Cochrane at josie.cochrane@police.govt.nz
Photographs taken during the presentation will be available on request.