Governor-General recognises Mackay’s Benjamin McCauley and Dean Bird for bravery
A Mackay rescue helicopter crewman and an Andergrove man have been recognised for bravery in a near fatal shark attack and fiery highway truck collision.
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A rescue helicopter crewman has been recognised for his bravery in helping to save the life of a Tasmanian woman following a near fatal shark attack in the Whitsundays.
Benjamin McCauley, of Eimeo, joins Andergrove’s Dean Bird – who was among a group that helped pull people away from burning trucks – in receiving national acknowledgment for brave conduct from Governor-General David Hurley.
Mr McCauley had been on duty with RACQ CQ Rescue nearby when the call came through about 5.30pm that Justine Barwick, who was on a sailing trip, had been seriously wounded in a shark mauling at Cid Harbour on September 19, 2018.
Mackay Base Hospital senior medical officer Dr John Haddock was, by chance, the first on scene and with others rendered lifesaving first aid to the catastrophic injuries until the rescue chopper arrived.
But because of the rigging, tall masts and proximity to other boats Justine could not be winched up and into the aircraft and so Mr McCauley was lowered into the water and swam about 40 metres to the yacht.
He reached the yacht in fading light, treated the wounded woman and placed her in the yacht’s dinghy, which was then steered towards the helicopter – he attached both himself and Justine to the wire and they were lifted up into the aircraft.
For his efforts Mr McCauley received a Commendations for Brave Conduct.
Justine’s was the first of three shark attacks in Cid Harbour in 2018 and Mr McCauley was on all three mercy dashes.
Hannah Papps, 12, was bitten 24 hours later and lost her leg, and on November 5 Dr Daniel Christidis, 33, was attacked and killed while swimming.
50-metre wall of flames
Andergrove man Dean Bird was among a trio – with Glen Dussell and the late Matthew Stockman – to receive a Group Bravery Citation for dragging two drivers burning vehicles following a horror Bruce Highway crash.
Emergency crews were confronted with a 50-metre wall of flames when they arrived at the Granite Creek crash involving three prime movers and a Ford Ranger towing a caravan about 11.15pm on 5 August 2020, south of Miriam Vale.
One man, a 42-year-old driver of a prime mover, was left fighting for his life and another man, a 54-year-old driver of another prime mover, was seriously injured in the collision that closed the highway for 18 hours.
The Ford Ranger had encountered heavy fog and slowed, a prime mover towing two semi-trailers travelling in the same direction had a minor collision with the ute and caravan, stopping briefly.
It is understood a second prime mover towing two semi-trailers also encountered the fog and struck the rear of the truck, then a third prime mover towing two semi-trailers, also travelling in the same direction, hit the rear of the second truck causing them both to catch fire.
Mr Dean was among the shocked drivers who sprang into action pulling the two men away from the fiery rigs.
The bravery citation read one man walked through thick fog towards the fire and found a driver trapped in the cabin of a burning truck.
Others arrived to help and used a metal bar to pry open the cabin, one climbed into the engine block and removed the driver with help before carrying him up a steep embankment to safety with one rendering first aid.
The initial man, who had gone to search for anyone else needing help, found another injured person lying on the roadway near the burning trucks.
He and another move the man away from the fire and into a nearby paddock.
He then used his own vehicle to aid police to recover the injured man, and transported him to an awaiting ambulance.
He and two others remained to render first aid to the injured.
They were among 39 Australian Bravery decorations recognising the courageous acts of 66 people “who put themselves in danger to help others”.
There were 11 Bravery Medals, 22 Commendations for Brave Conduct and six groups received Group Bravery Citations.
“The courage they showed is matched by their selflessness and they deserve our respect, gratitude and recognition,” Governor-General Hurley said.
“Each of the stories is striking and inspiring.
“In perilous situations the people we are celebrating chose to try and save others – often at great risk or cost to themselves.”
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