Driver trapped in a burning car, Kēkerengū, Kaikōura, 24 October 2022
Civilian Ian Anderson
Civilian Roland Ipenburg
AWG043 Senior Constable Andrew Watson
The New Zealand Bravery Decoration
On State Highway 1 near Kēkerengū, on the afternoon of 24 October 2022, a car crashed into a ditch and rolled on to its passenger side. Passing motorists moved the injured passenger, who had escaped the vehicle, but the injured driver remained trapped as the car burst into flames.
Ian Anderson, seeing smoke, stopped, got out of his truck and used a fire extinguisher to temporarily suppress the flames.
He and Roland Ipenburg manoeuvred themselves inside the car in a bid to rescue the driver, who was lying against the passenger door. But as the flames spread, they got out and continued to try and extinguish the fire.
Senior Constable Andy Watson was the first emergency responder to arrive. He used his fire extinguisher on the flames and managed to grasp the driver’s hand, assisted by Ian and Roland.
They twice tried to lift and pull the driver from the car, but Senior Constable Watson lost his grip. As the fire intensified, the two men pulled him from the car just before it burst into flames.
Ian Anderson and Roland Ipenburg demonstrated exceptional bravery by entering the burning vehicle to attempt to rescue the trapped driver.
Senior Constable Andrew Watson demonstrated exceptional bravery in his attempt to rescue the trapped driver, suffering secondary burns to his arm as a result.