THE men who helped rescue five family members from the Mary River nearly three years ago have been acknowledged for their bravery again.
PHOTO: Facebook / Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Bruce Holla, police Constable Drew Harold and Craig McPhillips received bronze medals from the Royal Humane Society of Australia in Brisbane last week.
The men helped rescue five people, including three children, from the Mary River near Lamington Bridge in Maryborough on 25 September 2018.
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The boat the family had been using overturned in the middle of the river and started sinking just before midday.
The family members clung to the boat to stay afloat – the children had been wearing life jackets.
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The Mary River is known for its strong currents, unknown debris as well as the occasional bull shark and crocodile.
Despite this, Mr Holla, Const Harold and Mr McPhillips entered the water and swam to the boat.
Two of the men held onto the children and all five adults helped swim the boat to shore.
Once the rescuers managed to get the boat and family members closer to shore, bystanders helped pull them from the water.
The Royal Humane Society of Australia recognises acts of bravery by those who risk their own lives to save or attempt to save the lives of others.
For more information on the society, click here.
The trio were acknowledged by the Australian Governor-General for their heroics in March.
