Special honour for Kiwi hero

Passerby who pulled family from burning car receives rare UK medal

The man who used a pocket knife to cut a mother and her children free from a burning car minutes before it exploded has been recognised for his bravery. Yesterday Murray Edward Michie was awarded the prestigious United Kingdom Royal Humane Society’s Stanhope Gold Medal at Government House.

He is the first New Zealander to be awarded the medal in nearly 50 years ahead of nominations from societies in Australia, Canada and the UK.

In July 2015 he came across a car crash in Manawatu near Bulls.

The driver of a Mitsubishi Diamante, who died instantly in the crash, was travelling on the wrong side of the road speeding at more than 150km/h.

He lost control and crashed head on with Susan Evans and her three daughters who were in a Landcruiser towing a horse float.

Their car was on its roof and the engine had caught fire.

One of the children managed to escape but the others were trapped because their seatbelts had tightened on impact.

We’re really appreciative as a family that he was there on the day. Murray obviously has a very special place in our hearts. Susan Evans, rescued mother

Michie fought through flames and smoke to free them.

“I wasn’t thinking of my own safety, all I was thinking of was getting the people out of the car and that was it,” he said.

He said what happened that day lingered in his mind.

“It doesn’t haunt me but I’ll never forget the day of the accident, it will always be there.”

The humble hero was supported by his friends and family, including five grandchildren, at the ceremony in Wellington.

“They’re all pretty chuffed and think it’s a great day,” he said.

Michie said he still kept in touch with the Evans family.

“It’s been two years since it happened and they’ve grown up and it’s all going well for them.”

Evans travelled with her three daughters and husband to attend the ceremony yesterday.

“It’s really special and very fitting. We’re really appreciative as a family that he was there on the day,” she said.

“Since the accident Murray obviously has a very special place in our hearts.”

She still uses crutches as a result of a foot injury she suffered in the crash.

Evans’ and her daughters’ eyes welled recalling what Michie did for them that day.

“Murray’s almost like my guardian angel he was the reason that we’re all here today. He just pops in from time to time, which is brilliant and we always love seeing him,” Evans said.

Last year Michie was awarded the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand’s Silver Medal in recognition of his bravery.

The last New Zealander to win the Stanhope gold medal was Mt Cook ranger Robert Ryan in 1968, for belaying down a crevasse to help rescue a climber whose climbing companion was killed.