John Tyson wants Tony Abbott to stand by his promise and recognise his son Jordan’s act of bravery

JORDAN Rice’s bravery during the Queensland floods was recognised around the world. So why is Tony Abbott waiting to act?

Donna Rice and her son Jordan Rice were killed during the January 2011 Queensland floods. Now Jordan’s father John Tyson is calling on the Prime Minister to nominate Jordan for a top bravery award.

JOHN Tyson lost his son Jordan and partner Donna when devastating floods swept through Toowoomba in Queensland in January 2011.

Thirteen-year-old Jordan, his younger brother Blake and their mum Donna were left stranded on the roof of their car as floodwaters rose rapidly while rescuers struggled to get to them.

Jordan couldn’t swim, but despite that, when a good Samaritan, Warren McErlean, finally got to them he told them to help Blake.

“Take my brother first,’’ he told them. They were his last words.

Blake was saved but moments after he was taken off the car roof both Jordan and Donna were swept away.

News_Image_File: Blake Rice (centre left) is saved from a car trapped in heavy flash flooding in the town of Toowoomba. Blake’s brother Jordan told rescuers to take him first.

The story of Jordan’s bravery went around the world and in the difficult times since the tragedy it has been the pride of what his son did that helped Mr Tyson go on at the time. Then Prime Minister Julia Gillard praised Jordan’s courage and Mr Abbott, as Opposition Leader, said he should be awarded the Cross of Valour, Australia’s highest civilian award for bravery.

But Mr Tyson said he “waited, waited and waited — but it never happened”.

“Three years on, I feel like Jordan’s bravery has been forgot about, and all the talk by politicians were empty gestures,” he said in a Change.org petition, which is calling on the Prime Minister to nominate Jordan for the award.

They were offered a group family citation but Mr Tyson declined. “I believe Jordan should be considered for an actual bravery award. I believe the Cross of Valour, as Tony Abbott suggested, would be appropriate, is what should be considered.”

Mr McErlean, who saved Blake Rice, told news.com.au he completely backed the petition.

“I’m right behind anything that will remember what Jordan did and goes towards recognising his actions.”

There wasn’t a day that went by he didn’t think about Jordan and Donna and what they went through.

News_Image_File: The funeral of Donna Rice and her 13-year-old son Jordan Rice. They were swept to their deaths during the Queensland floods of January 2011

“The mental scars never heal ... But you just have to get on with life and move on.”

He thought Jordan being recognised for the Cross of Valour would help Mr Tyson. “At the end of the day he is a father who wants to recognise his son.”

There is “no doubt” in Mr McErlean’s mind Jordan deserved Australia’s highest bravery honour. “He is a true hero. For what he did, at his age, that would make a lot of grown men squirm. What he did was incredible.”

Mr Tyson said no award would ever bring Jordan and Donna back. “But it would mean the world to us to have his last moments of bravery properly acknowledged.”

By midday today the petition had attracted more than 80,000 signatures. Many left messages of support saying the “selfless bravery” should be recognised for the family’s sake.

A spokeswoman for Mr Abbott said he supported Mr Tyson’s calls for Jordan to be appropriately acknowledged for his incredible act of bravery that ultimately cost him his life.

“Nominations for bravery awards in the Australian Honours system are considered by the Australian Bravery Decorations Council, which makes recommendations to the Governor-General,” she said.

“The Prime Minister has approached the Governor-General to ask for his support in ensuring proper consideration is given to any nominations for bravery awards relating to this tragic incident.”

Mr Tyson’s petition on Change.org reads:

News_Image_File: Grieving father John Tyson has a message for Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

My son’s last words were “take my brother first”.

He and his mother were trapped on the roof of our family car as the massive 2011 Queensland floodwaters surrounded them — and as a good samaritan waded in to help my brave little son Jordan, just 13 years old, insisted his little brother was saved first.

Jordan couldn’t swim. He must have been petrified. But he put his fears aside to make sure his brother made it through the terrifying flood.

MORE: Desperate 000 calls made by Donna and Jordan Rice

Moments later, Jordan and his mum were swept to their deaths.

Time can never heal what losing them has meant for us. We’re still devastated, and struggling.

In the wake of the floods there was a glint of light in the darkness — there were calls by politicians in Canberra for Jordan to be recognised for his incredible bravery.

News_Image_File: John Tyson, his son Blake Rice and Warren McErlean who rescued Blake from the floodwaters that hit Toowoomba. Blake's older brother Jordan pleaded with Mr McErlean to save his younger brother first.

“The legend of Jordan’s amazing courage will go on,” said Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Tony Abbott, who was opposition leader, said Jordan should get the Cross of Valour, Australia’s highest civilian award for bravery.

I was so proud. I waited, waited and waited — but it never happened. Three years on, I feel like Jordan’s bravery has been forgot about, and all the talk by politicians were empty gestures.

I was offered a ‘Group Family Citation’ which I declined, because I believe Jordan should be considered for an actual bravery award. I believe the Cross of Valour, as Tony Abbott suggested, would be appropriate, is what should be considered. I am asking Tony Abbott to nominate Jordan for the award, and for the committee to reconsider this nomination.