Bravery award for Wairoa River save

Hastings police sergeant Willie Tran rescued a man after he dived into Wairoa River in an attempt to escape police, but got into trouble in the water. Sgt Tran’s efforts to save the reluctant man have earned him a Royal Humane Society Bravery Award. Hawke’s Bay Today picture

A Hawke’s Bay police sergeant has received national honours for his efforts in rescuing a man at risk of drowning in the Wairoa River on New Year’s Eve two years ago.

Sergeant Willie Tran was presented with a Royal Humane Society Bravery Award by Assistant Police Commissioner Richard Chambers at an awards ceremony in Hastings.

Sergeant Tran was deployed on operational duties in Wairoa at the time of the incident.

“I was working in Mahia . . . for a New Year’s operation,” Sgt Tran told Hawke’s Bay Today.

“We finished our shift, but I was staying in Wairoa, so we were travelling back there in the early hours of the morning.

“We got a call about a person acting suspiciously in the Wairoa campground. Local staff had already been called out to another job, and we were close enough so we attended.”

Hearing some rustling, the pair soon found the topless alleged offender, who immediately made a run for it.

“He got to the riverbank and decided he had nowhere to go, so decided to jump in,” Sgt Tran said.

“He got to maybe halfway across and realised he was in a bit of trouble trying to go upstream for a long time. The river was flowing pretty quickly, and it was still quite dark.”

The man started to sink after about 20 minutes of treading water, Sgt Tran said.

“I had to make the call to go in after him.”

Sgt Tran swam towards the man, who abused him for close to 40 minutes as they fought the current.

“He was warning me if I got close, he was going to do something bad. I had to use some slippery empty-hand tactics to restrain him and then ended up rescue-towing him back to the riverbank. It was also about being aware of your surroundings and safety as well.”

The man was taken to Wairoa Hospital for treatment and later taken into custody.

The Royal Humane Society is a charity that grants awards for acts of bravery in the saving of human life.

The committee considers a range of factors, including the degree of risk to the nominee’s life, the duration of the event, persistence and the impact of physical surroundings such as darkness and the weather conditions.

“Receiving the award reflects the recipient’s dedication and willingness to save a life,” police said.

Sgt Tran told Hawke’s Bay Today it was “really humbling” to be recognised.

“I guess the biggest thing for me is I struggle with being in the limelight. It was a really cool honour for me and my family to be realised in that way. Without them, I don’t think I’d be able to do this job I do.”