May 23, 2013
Kilkivan police officer Senior Constable Daven Richards received his Queensland bravery award from the State Governor today, officially recognising his courage during the 2011 floods.
On January 7, 2011, Senior Constable Richards helped to rescue two people after their vehicle became submerged in flood waters at Kilkivan.
He and a colleague responded to an incident in which the two were trapped in a bus stranded in rising water at Widgee Creek.
Arriving at the scene, Senior Constable Richards learned the vehicle was about 200m from the water’s edge.
In darkness, he waded out to a point where he could locate the bus, then he swam toward it. After reaching the bus he realised the current was too strong to rescue the people safely except by boat.
He swam back against the current and secured the attendance of an SES boat which then brought the people to safety.
Senior Constable Daven Richards was presented with a Commendation For Brave Conduct award by Governor Ms Penelope Wensley at a ceremony at Government House in Brisbane today.
