Russell Island paramedic, siblings recognised in QAS bravery awards

A hero paramedic, who put his own life on the line to rescue people from the tragic Russell Island fire, has been recognised for his bravery.

A hero paramedic who put his own life on the line to rescue people from the tragic Russell Island fire has been recognised for his bravery in the annual Commissioner’s Achievement Awards.

Critical care paramedic Byron Tyrer was first on scene at a horror house fire that killed Wayne Godinet and his five young boys at Russell Island on August 6.

Mr Tyrer, who has previously worked for the Queensland police and fire and emergency services, was presented a Commissioner’s Commendation after he “likely saved several people” during the fatal fire.

Paramedic Byron Tyrer has been presented with a Commissioner’s Commendation. Picture: Liam Kidston

He said every time he drove past Todman Street it was a “constant reminder” of that “horrific” morning.

“It is certainly not something I will ever forget,” Mr Tyrer said.

Other QAS staff and volunteers were presented with a range of awards for long service, including a special milestone for North Brisbane Patient Transport Officer Ken Anderson, who received his National Medal 3rd Clasp for 45 years and QAS Long Service Medal 4th Clasp recognising an astounding 50 years of service.

While siblings Ryder Emery-Marr and Randall Emery-Marr received the Young Heroes of the Year award after they provided “outstanding assistance” to QAS officers while their grandfather was suffering a cardiac arrest on January 30 at Thabeban, Bundaberg.

Young Heroes of the Year, brothers Ryder Emery-Marr, 8, and Randall Emery-Marr, 10, with their granddad Alfie Worth, 61, who they helped save. Picture: Liam Kidston

Asked about the fatal fire, Mr Tyrer said: “I got the call at 6:21am … as I drove down (nearby) High St, you could see the plume of smoke coming up in the air”.

“Walking down the street, I met the mother and sister and asked them if it was their house and if there was anyone else inside the house – that’s when they told me her five children were in there.”

But Mr Tyrer said when he walked down the side of the house he had the “horrific realisation” that no one could have survived the “sheer heat”.

“It was just indescribable – black smoke and (flames) pushing me back,” he said.

Mr Tyrer then turned his attention to neighbouring properties.

“The house next door was starting to catch fire – I made my way into that property and that’s where I met the family of three – I was able to get them across the road, I asked them if there was anyone else in the house and they said “dad”,” he said.

“I went back into the house and made my way into the kitchen … the smoke was barrelling down from the roof … as I made my way to the laundry on the right hand side there was this explosion from outside – from the house next door – there was just this surge of heat that came in shattering the windows.

The five young boys that died in the blaze.

Wayne Godinet died in the fire at Russell Island.

“I made my way outside and down the back of the house to a glass sliding door … where I located a gentleman who had just woken up.”

“I told him ‘your house is on fire, you need to get out- you have seconds’ … he didn’t believe me.”

Mr Tyrer said he convinced the man to leave his home and then “went back to console the mother and sister”.

He then gave QFES and a QPS officer the “grave news” that five children were inside.

“(The QPS officer) just broke down in front of me, it was about that moment when it all hit me,” Mr Tyrer said.

“It was horrific, an absolutely horrific job.”

Mr Tyrer said he had not seen the children’s 28-year-old mother, Samantha Stephenson, “since that morning”.

Siblings Ryder and Randall were acknowledged for “displaying maturity well beyond what’s expected of a seven-year-old and nine-year-old”.

“We were eating tea, nan was in the kitchen … when nan called out to grandad he didn’t respond … so she called out again … nan realised (grandad) was unconscious so we called triple-0,” the boys said.

“We opened the gates and let the (paramedics) in to save him, he was dead for six minutes.

The boys said they were “excited” to take their awards into school for show and tell while grandad Alfie Worth said: “I’m very proud of the boys, my wife and the paramedics.”

Commissioner Craig Emery said: “Today is our opportunity to express gratitude for the commitment and above-and-beyond efforts that staff have dedicated to the organisation, and in turn, their wider community”.