Two area men are among a trio who were recognized on Tuesday for saving two people from a fiery crash nearly three years ago.
Christopher Hay of Hastings, and Jeffrey Stewart of Douro-Dummer, along with Francis Underwood of Big Cedar, Ont., received Decorations for Bravery from Governor General of Canada Julie Payette at a ceremony in Toronto.
The award citation says the trio were instrumental in saving two men following a collision between a northbound pickup truck and a southbound car on Highway 28, south of Division Road on the eastern outskirts of Peterborough on July 7, 2015.
Both vehicles caught fire as a result of the collision as the car veered into a ditch.
A release from the Governor General’s office states Hay first approached the car and pulled the injured driver out through the driver’s side door and dragged the man to safety.
Meanwhile, the pickup truck’s engine caught fire and Underwood and Stewart kicked in the rear window and pulled the driver out of the truck “before it became fully engulfed in flames,” the release states.
Hay, a Hydro One worker, was heading home from work and was following a line of vehicles when the truck collided with the vehicle in front of him.
“We just wanted to get them out and to safety away from the vehicles which were on fire,” Hay told Global News after the ceremony.
Hay says he was surprised by the accolades.
“Just overwhelmed, unexpected and thankful. It was a great day by all.”
Peterborough County OPP subsequently charged a Selwyn Township man with impaired driving in connection with the crash.
Tuesday’s ceremony recognized up to 60 people for their “excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service” with either the Order of Canada, Decorations for Bravery, Meritorious Service Decorations or the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
“The decoration awarded to Mr. Underwood will be presented to him at a future ceremony,” said the release.
Also at the ceremony, Peterborough Second World War veteran Joe Sullivan received a standing ovation while accepting the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers.
For decades Sullivan has worked to help other veterans be recognized for their contributions.
The 97-year-old Sullivan has also brought local surviving veterans together for reunions and to help them pay tribute to fallen comrades-in-arms.
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