Anaesthetist receives bravery award
A New Zealand Bravery Decoration medal pinned to Bryce Curran’s chest represents two special moments for the heroic anaesthetist.
When Sir Jerry Mateparae presented Curran’s medal yesterday, it was recognition for his work to save a man trapped in the collapsed Pyne Gould Corporation building and it also brought a sense of closure.
Curran was one of one 27 people honoured with New Zealand Bravery Awards yesterday at an investiture ceremony for their courage to save lives following the deadly February 22, 2011 earthquake.
Five police officers, 18 firefighters, two doctors, a Navy Lieutenant Commander, and a businessman were announced as the recipients on June 23.
About 150 family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Transitional Christchurch Cathedral, including Police Commissioner Mike Bush, Fire Service chief Paul Baxter and MP Amy Adams.
Curran was honoured for his role in saving Brian Coker whose legs needed amputating to free him from the collapsed building.
Fate brought him, Australian urologist Lydia Johns-Putra, firefighter Scott Shadbolt and police Sergeant Danny Johanson together that day.
They saved Coker by using a Leatherman knife and a hacksaw to cut his legs above the knee in a 15-minute procedure.
Yesterday marked the second time the quartet, and Coker, who now walks on prosthetics, have met since the rescue. Curran and Johns-Putra were the only recipients of the New Zealand Bravery Decoration for exceptional bravery.
The 25 others received a New Zealand Bravery Medal.
It was a proud moment for Curran.
‘‘I think there’s now a sense of closure and I think we can all move on to our normal lives.
‘‘It was an extreme event and it’s very easy to have the memory resurface, but I’m comfortable with the memory because Brian has done so well.’’
Joining Curran on stage at the Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral, was a large contingent of firefighters, many who tunnelled into collapsed buildings to save lives without breathing apparatus or helmets.
Fire Service national commander and chief executive Paul Baxter said many were embarrassed and humbled by yesterday’s occasion.
‘‘Sure their training and job expects them to do things like this but that day was above and beyond,’’ Baxter said.
Mateparae said it was a privilege to recognise the recipients’ ‘‘professionalism, dedication and extraordinary courage’’.