ANNUAL BRAVERY AWARDS PRESENTATION
One resident of Western Australia will be presented with a bravery award of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia: on Friday 8 April 2011 at Government House, Perth at 11.00 am |
The award, a Bronze Medal, will be presented by His Excellency Dr Ken Michael, AC, Governor of Western Australia at the investiture of awards within the Order of Australia and the Society.
Details of the rescues are attached.
Contact: |
Colin Bannister (Secretary) - (03) 9650 3233
Or visit our Web Site: www.rhsa.org.au |
Note: |
The Royal Humane Society of Australasia, formed in 1874, is concerned with giving public recognition to acts of bravery by making awards to those who risk their own lives to save the lives of others. Over 7,880 awards have been made in the Society's 136 years' history. |
THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA
CITATION 2009/2010
BRONZE MEDAL
MELAINE JANE KUPSCH, aged 39 years, of Geraldton, WA, in going to the rescue of the driver of a crashed, burning car at Beresford, WA on 8 June 2009.
At 7pm Ms Kupsch was driving behind another car on the NW Coastal Highway and saw a speeding car collide with the car in front causing a fire described by a witness as "a ball of flame that erupted like an explosion with a large fireball".
Ms Kupsch stopped, checked that the driver of the oncoming car was alright then went to the other car where a fire had started in the engine bay. The driver could not open her door, her legs were trapped by the steering wheel, her face was covered in blood and she was screaming "Get me out! Get me out!"
Ms Kupsch unsuccessfully tried to open the car door then reached through the window, grasped the driver under the arms and managed to pull the driver free.