“You’d expect everyone to help out whoever is in need.”
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While Wesley Anderson may be receiving a commendation for brave conduct as part of the 2018 Australian Bravery Awards, he believes his actions three years ago were “no big deal”.
The Sutton Forest resident will receive the commendation for his assistance in a motor vehicle accident in 2015. On June 1, 2015, Mr Anderson went to the assistance of a truck driver who was trapped following an accident on the Hume Highway near Sutton Forest.
The driver told him the batteries of the semi-trailer needed to be disconnected to prevent a fire or explosion.
But due to the position of the vehicle and the damage to it, Mr Anderson was unable to locate the batteries to do so.
Despite the risk, he stayed with the driver for about half an hour before emergency services arrived at the scene to free the driver.
“I just kept him talking till help came. He had me worried I was going to lose him. It felt like a long time in that situation [until help arrived].”
Mr Anderson held his hand and said he kept speaking to the driver, trying to keep him awake, calm and positive.
“I wasn’t going to leave him in the lurch. It was just something you’d expect everyone to do for anyone,” he said. “It’s not something I thought was a big deal. If someone’s in that situation you’d like to think anyone would jump in and help.”
“I would hope the same thing would happen to me if I was in that situation.”
Never expecting anything to come from his actions, Mr Anderson said the award was “a bit overwhelming”.
He said he was grateful for the nomination and thanked those who took the time to make it. The Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery in other than warlike situations, by people who put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.
Anyone came nominate a person for a Bravery Decoration and awards are usually announced twice each year.
Mr Anderson will receive his award in the next few months. There are four levels of bravery awards-the Cross of Valour, the Star of Courage, the Bravery Medal, the Commendation for Brave Conduct, and the Group Bravery Citation.
