Police salute NZ rep who saved stranger dangling from bridge

Moehau Hodges-Tai received a police commendation for his actions on Victoria Bridge, which spans the Waikato River. Photo / Natalie Akoorie

A young Hamilton man who rescued a stranger perilously dangling from a city bridge has been commended by police for his bravery.

Moehau Hodges-Tai received the District Commander's Commendation from Police Minister Judith Collins at a ceremony in Hamilton yesterday.

Mr Hodges-Tai, who is celebrating his 21st birthday tonight, was recognised for his quick actions 13m above the Waikato River on Victoria Bridge on August 15.

The gridiron player, who has represented New Zealand in the Iron Blacks, was walking home with his girlfriend about 9pm when they came across a car blocking a lane of the bridge. Then a woman at the opposite railing screamed for help.

Mr Hodges-Tai, 189cm tall and weighing 125kg, ran across the road and found a man dangling from the bottom of the bridge railing.

"I just started talking to keep him distracted while I leaned over and pulled him up by the back of the belt.

"He seemed relieved. I kept talking to him and stayed with him to make sure he was safe."

Mr Hodges-Tai, who is studying media and creative technologies at Waikato University, said he was just acting on instinct. He felt humbled by the awards ceremony.

Another Waikato University student, 19-year-old Aidan Bilbe, was commended for saving the life of a neighbour who had tried to take his own life on November 24.

And Amon West received a commendation for helping two injured constables under attack from a group of up to 50 people in Ngaruawahia on March 27 last year.

Nicholas Hughes and Simon Griffin were also honoured for saving the lives of Suellen Matthewson and her 2-year-old daughter, Mikaylah Wilson, whose car had overturned and submerged off the Thames coast on November 1.

Constable Andrew Osborn of Hamilton was recognised for his bravery in fighting off two offenders armed with a knife and machete whom he later arrested, and for saving a stabbing victim's life.