A BRAVE Narre Warren South boy has received a prestigious award for saving a young girl’s life this year.
Daniel Grulke, a 17-year-old St Francis Xavier College student, received a bronze medal at the bravery awards of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia on Friday following his heroic move in March.
At 5pm on 27 March, Daniel risked his own life to save a young girl – intending to commit suicide – standing on the train tracks of an oncoming train at Beaconsfield Station.
The driver of the train started to break heavily whilst sounding the horn about 150m from the girl. People started to yell at her to get off the tracks to but no avail.
When the train was about 25m away Daniel made the split-second decision to jump off the platform and push the girl, aged about 15, off the tracks “with about five seconds to spare”.
Following his extraordinary rescue, Daniel said that he didn’t feel like a hero.
“… anyone else in my position would’ve done the same thing,” he said.
He was one of 35 Victorians who were presented with bravery awards of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia on Friday 14 December 2012 at Government House, Melbourne.
He was nominated by Pakenham police officer, Sergeant Richard Dawson.
Sgt Dawson labelled the St Francis Xavier College student a hero and said it was the first time in his 16 years in the police force that an act of bravery had moved him to take action.
“I think he definitely deserves some recognition for his actions – he went above and beyond,” Sgt Dawson said.
Visit beyondblue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251, or Lifeline on 131 114 if you are in need of immediate assistance or talk to someone you trust.
