Kiwi hailed hero for saving man from blazing car

Ben Pere (left) with Jaun Paul Rebola. Photo / Mathew Poon, CNG

A New Zealander living in Western Australia became an unlikely hero after he pulled a man from a burning car.

Now Ben Pere's actions have earned him one of Australia's highest accolades for bravery - as well as a new mate.

In October 2010, Mr Pere, a powerline worker, was driving to a job when he saw the wreck of two mangled cars after the driver of the first vehicle braked suddenly to avoid ducks on the road. Smoke was pouring out of the front station wagon.

"I stopped the car in the middle of the median strip and ran across and the guy was unconscious in the car," said Mr Pere, originally from Matauri Bay, 70km southeast of Kaitaia.

He dragged him by his feet outside the car and up around the other side. He checked if the man - lawyer Jaun Paul Rebola - was breathing, but he was frothing at the mouth and gargling.

"I actually thought he was already dead. He had a massive gash in his head and ... the roof lining was melting onto his face and on his arms."

Just in case, Mr Pere put him in the recovery position. He then grabbed his hammer, ran back and smashed the vehicle's passenger-side window to check if there was anyone else in there.

"But I couldn't see if there was anyone else because of all the smoke ... I yelled out and couldn't hear anyone, but I had to get out of there.

"I bolted back to Jaun Paul and dragged him another 10m up the road."

Moments later the car exploded.

Onlookers called emergency services. While they were waiting for an ambulance, Mr Rebola came to but was in a deep state of shock and "wanted to fight everyone - he was gone, severely concussed".

Mr Pere admitted it was a " pretty dramatic morning" but remarkably that didn't stop him continuing on to his scheduled job.

After he recovered, Mr Rebola found Mr Pere's name in a news report on the crash and looked his saviour up on Facebook. Now they are great mates after discovering they had a lot in common and see each other almost everyweek.

A week ago, Mr Pere got a letter from the Governor-General informing him that he would receive a medal in the Australian Bravery Decorations. He is the only person from Western Australia to receive the honour this year.

Mr Pere does not think the gravity of his achievement will sink in until he is actually at the ceremony in April.

"I wouldn't call myself a hero, but everyone else is. I don't feel like a hero - I would just hope that someone would do what I did for Jaun Paul for me."