Hero haunted by cries of trapped child

File photo / John Cowpland

A Palmerston North man given an award for bravery for rescuing a woman from a Foxton house fire last year is still haunted by the cries of her daughter, who died in the blaze.

Ricky Te Huki, 34, and his brother-in-law Paul Graham entered the Hulke St house five times in a desperate bid to rescue three people trapped by flames, the Manawatu Standard reported.

Mr Te Huki pulled a 24-year-old woman out a window, but was unable to get to her three-year-old daughter and a 22-year-old woman, both of whom died.

Mr Te Huki said he was still emotional about having to stop his rescue attempts after the house became too engulfed.

"I was crying on the front lawn. I was angry that I couldn't save her life. I'm still emotional now," he said.

Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand presented Mr Te Huki with the silver bravery medal at a ceremony attended family members in Wellington last Friday.

Mr Graham will receive a bronze bravery medal at a later date.

- NZPA