Several Hurstville firefighters have been recognised after rescuing two elderly women trapped in a car which crashed into a Carlingford house in October 2015.
Acting Commissioner Jim Hamilton presented firefighters from Ryde, Eastwood, Hurstville, Rydalmere, Parramatta command and the Urban Search and Rescue unit with Commissioner’s Letters of Appreciation at a special ceremony at Parramatta Fire Station today.
Senior Firefighter Alan Rourke and Senior Firefighter Peter Nolan from Hurstville were among those rewarded.
Station Officer Greg Purvis from the Urban Search and Rescue squad based at Hurstville also received a certificate.
On October 6, 2015, emergency services were called after reports a car had crashed into the ground floor of a two storey home.
The car was lodged well inside the building and the women were trapped under the crushed car roof.
The impact of the crash had knocked down part of the ground-floor walls with the above floor threatening to collapse.
To add to the danger a gas valve was crushed under the car and there were live electricity wires in contact with the car.
Fire crews shut down the gas and electricity and worked to stabilise the second floor of the house. The bricks and debris inside and around the car were removed by hand. After a delicate rescue operation, the women were freed and taken to hospital.
Acting Commissioner Jim Hamilton congratulated all the firefighters.
“I want to congratulate all of today’s recipients who worked with dedication and great expertise in dangerous circumstances to save the lives of the trapped women,” he said.
“Their efforts were in the finest traditions of the service.”
