Two years after saving the life of a toddler, Wee Waa residents Senior Constable Shane Middleton and pool lifeguard Jemma Hodgman have been awarded NSW Royal Lifesaving Commendation Awards at a ceremony at Government house on Friday.
Mr Middleton was presented the NSW Police Award and Ms Hodgman received a civilian Certificate of Commendation for their heroic actions at the Wee Waa town pool in February 2013.
The NSW Branch of the Royal Lifesaving Society said the Wee Waa locals had made “an outstanding attempt at saving a human life by the application of life saving skills.”
A report in the Wee Waa News at the time recorded that Senior Constable Middleton was driving past when he heard screams coming from the pool.
“I looked across and there were people running around the pool,” the Wee Waa police officer said.
“It didn’t look normal so I did a U-turn and as I pulled up out the front a woman came running over with the bub in her arms and asked for help.
“Along with Jemma, the council lifeguard, I cleared the airway and started to administer CPR compressions.
“After three or four compressions the defibrilator machine said no shock was required, which was very reassuring, so we did a couple more breaths and then I saw her chest rise and she then started crying.”
Fifteen month-old, Leairah Smith, was immediately rushed to Wee Waa hospital and transferred by ambulance to Tamworth.
Leairah recovered well and was soon back to normal, with her family expressing immense gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue.
In a press release issued by the Barwon Local Area Command at the time, Supervising Sergeant Ned Gligorevic said Senior Constable Middleton’s work ethic on duty was always exceptional.
“The nature of being a country officer is a unique method of policing where you are never quite off-duty,” he said.
“The heroic efforts of Shane have made all the difference for this community, tragic accidents in a small town like Wee Waa have an immense impact.
“Narrabri Shire, Wee Waa and officers of Barwon LAC are extremely proud of him.”
The Royal Life Saving NSW Commendation Awards Ceremony was hosted by His Excellency the Honorable David Hurley AC DSC (Retired).
The awards acknowledge the work of everyday life savers, who used life saving skills in emergency situations to save a fellow human being.
Senior Constable Middleton said the ceremony was an inspiring experience.
“It brought the memories back and made me revisit what had happened,” he said.
“It was quite emotional, especially hearing all the other stories of rescues, there’s some amazing people out there.
“It was really nice to see civilian members of the community getting awards for putting themselves at risk in situations that are tragic and stressful without any thought for themselves.
“One man rescued someone caught in a rip and another lady went to the aid of a man who had been in a motorbike accident and later lost a leg, civilians don’t deal with those situations on a daily basis so they’re amazing Australians.
“It was a humbling and interesting experience and really good to meet Mr and Mrs Hurley, they were down to earth people, we had a bit of a chat to them.”
Senior Constable Middleton attended the ceremony alongside Jemma Hodgman who also aided in the rescue at the pool in 2013.
Ms Hodgman endorsed Senior Constable Middleton’s sentiments.
