Police honour for men who helped assaulted woman

Two men who helped a woman while she was being violently assaulted by her partner were acknowledged by police for their heroic efforts yesterday.

Warren Gray, of Maheno, near Oamaru, and Richard Quirk, of Dunedin, were awarded the New Zealand Police Certificate of Appreciation.

They helped at an incident near Pukeuri, 9km north east of Oamaru, last year.

Mr Gray was driving near the scene on December 29, when he was flagged down by Mr Quirk to help him in a domestic incident in which a woman was being violently assaulted on the roadside by her 24-year-old partner.

While waiting for police to arrive the partner, from Christchurch, walked around behind a large tractor and, using his belt, hanged himself from the wing mirror.

After discovering the man had turned blue and was not breathing, both Mr Gray and Mr Quirk, along with three others went to his aid.

Their actions saved the man's life.

After being arrested and charged with assaulting a female, the 24-year-old was convicted and sentenced to 250 hours' community work.

Sixty-year-old Mr Gray appreciated the award, but was quick to give thanks to the other men that helped at the scene.

Southern Police District Commander superintendent George Fraser said the award was significant, and not given out lightly.

He also acknowledged other "unsung heroes" who had helped out at incidents or accidents, but disappeared too quickly to receive thanks.

- nzpa