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Tuesday 27 May 2014
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Something to crow about
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Celebrating 21 years in business
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Local ‘heroes’ nominated Andrew Board Editor
andrew@nelsonweekly.co.nz The four men who dived into a freezing Nelson creek to rescue two people from a submerged car have been recognised for their bravery, with a nomination in the Pride of New Zealand awards. Kyle Paki Paki, Philip Walker, Adam Black and Gary Miller had never met before that cold Saturday last July and barely since, but their combined actions saved two lives and earned praise from the fire service, police and the rescued people’s family, who all labelled them “heroes”. They each said the nomination, from a Nelson fire fighter, is humbling. The rescue started when a car carrying Janice (Jan) Fa’avae, 68, her husband Filemoni (Phil), 69, and grandson Ali Fa’avae-Mika, 2, veered off the road and plunged into Saltwater Creek, near Port Nelson. Kyle, who saw the car go over the side of the bank, jumped out of his ute and dived straight in the water, pulling Phil out of the car. The rescued man immediately motioned that his grandson was in the car and Kyle went back down, frantically trying to smash the car window to get to little Ali. He eventually broke the window with a tyre iron and after rising to the surface for another breath of air went back down and pulled Ali out of the back seat. By this time the toddler was unconscious. British tourist Adam Black was out for a run and dived into the water to help Kyle pull Ali to the bank. Then Philip Walker, who was driving past, stopped to help Kyle and Adam try to free Jan from the car. After several dives, Philip
HEROES: Philip Walker, left, Kyle Paki Paki, right and Adam Black, centre, have been nominated for a Pride of New Zealand award along with Gary Miller. The four men were involved in the rescue of Ali and Phil Fa’avae from a submerged car in Saltwater Creek last July. Photos: Tim Cuff/Phillip Rollo/Supplied. was able to pull her free and brought her to shore with the help of Gary Miller, who was also driving past and who also jumped in to help in the rescue. Jan tragically died at the scene, with a coroner later concluding she had a “medical event” before the car drove into the creek. But the actions of the four men saved the lives of her husband and grandson. Nelson fire fighter Craig Davies says the actions of the men undoubtedly saved two
lives and that’s why he nominated them for the bravery and heroism award. “I saw the awards being advertised and I thought it was perfect for these guys. What they did that day was pretty special and an extreme act of bravery in my opinion.” Kyle says looking back the day still haunts him but knowing that his actions saved two people does give him a sense of pride. “Looking back, it’s still a bit of a blur but it doesn’t change the fact of how I think we
did that day. I haven’t talked a lot about it since the accident. It still sits a little uncomfortably with me, especially this kind of stuff but I am proud to have done what we did do to save a life.” The Pride of New Zealand awards, which are run by the New Zealand Herald and supported by Nelson Weekly, aim to recognise the efforts of everyday Kiwis, who make a real difference in their communities.
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