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Two men posthumously awarded Australia's highest award for bravery

Xinhua,March 29, 2018 Adjust font size:

CANBERRA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Two men who gave their life to save others have been posthumously awarded the Star of Courage in the latest round of Australian Bravery Awards.

Peter Cosgrove, Australia's governor general, announced the latest Australian Bravery Decoration recipients on Thursday with Antonio Rokov and Tori Johnston awarded the Star of Courage.

Johnston was honoured for his bravery during Sydney's Lindt Café siege in 2014.

Throughout the 16-hour standoff, Johnston relayed information to police and engaged with gunman Man Haron Monis.

Despite having opportunities to escape, Johnston remained to aid an elderly hostage.

Johnston was executed by Monis at approximately 2 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2014, triggering a police shootout with the terrorist that ended in the deaths of Monis and hostage Katrina Dawson.

Rokov, a skydiving instructor, saved the life of 14-year-old student Elijah Arranz during a tandem diving accident in November 2015.

A freak wind gust caused their parachute to collapse, sending the pair plummeting towards earth.

Rokov, a former Special Forces commando, wrapped himself around Arranz and took the brunt of the impact, a move that saved the teenager's life.

In announcing the awards, Cosgrove praised the two men for their selflessness.

"To the Australians being honoured today, I offer my warmest congratulations and express my sincere gratitude for your contribution to our nation," Cosgrove said in a statement on Thursday.

"Sadly, there are those whose brave acts mean they are no longer with us.

"To their families, I express the nation's sadness at your loss but pride in your loved one's actions."

The Australian Bravery Awards are announced twice a year but the Star of Courage has been awarded just 170 times since 1975.

Elijah Arranz survived the crash due to Rokov's sacrifice but sustained a severe traumatic brain injury from which he is still recovering.

"If it wasn't for his brave act, I wouldn't be here today," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Thursday.

"He will be remembered by me as a hero for eternity." Enditem

 

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