Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2010 18:20:24 GMT 12
www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/young-army-privates-good-deeds-rewarded/3910737/
Young army private's good deeds rewarded
Abigail Hartevelt | 4th March 2010
Rotorua's Private Nick Lock has received a top award for coming to the aid of people injured in two serious crashes on the same day.
The 20-year-old, who is a driver with the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment, has been awarded the Chief of Army Commendation by New Zealand Army chief Major General Rhys Jones.
But a modest Mr Lock, who was born and bred in Rotorua and attended John Paul College, said he was doing what anyone else would do in the same situation.
"I was just doing what needed to be done."
On June 11 last year, Mr Lock was the duty driver for Linton Camp in Palmerston North.
He was one of the first people to arrive at the scene of a serious car crash. Mr Lock went to the aid of an elderly man who was thought to have possible neck injuries. He held the man's head in the correct position until a collar was placed around his neck by ambulance officers. Mr Lock also drove to a school to pick up a colleague's child while that army member continued to help at the crash scene.
Two hours later Mr Lock was again one of the first to arrive at the scene of another serious crash. He helped a young woman with bruising out of one of the cars involved, then went and helped medical staff with two 14-year-old girls who had suffered bruising.
One of the pair was also experiencing an extreme anxiety attack, which Private Lock managed to ease.
Reports from both incidents describe Mr Lock as calm, polite and professional.
"The communication skills he used with individuals who were under stress was inspirational to observe," the citation said.
Ambulance officers said Mr Lock's efforts were the best they had ever received from someone with little medical experience.
Private Lock said he had done a week's first aid course as part of his initial army training.
He said he had always been taught to help people.
"Where help is needed you always offer it. You do what you can and you do it to your best ability."
Mr Lock's mother, Liz Lock, who still lives in Rotorua, said it was a "very proud moment" seeing her son presented with the award.
She said it took her son a while to decide what to do after he left school but being in the army had been the "making of him."
She said she was not surprised her son had stopped to help as he had always been a compassionate person.
New Zealand Army spokesman Major Kristian Dunne said only a few people each year received the Chief of Army Commendation award. It was given out to people who had done an exceptional job or who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Mr Dunne said by his actions Mr Lock had demonstrated the "ethos and values we all have a high regard for in the New Zealand Army."
"He demonstrated great courage and commitment by stopping and rendering assistance, remaining professional throughout. Private Lock is an asset and credit not only to himself but also to the New Zealand Army," Mr Dunne said.
Young army private's good deeds rewarded
Abigail Hartevelt | 4th March 2010
Rotorua's Private Nick Lock has received a top award for coming to the aid of people injured in two serious crashes on the same day.
The 20-year-old, who is a driver with the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment, has been awarded the Chief of Army Commendation by New Zealand Army chief Major General Rhys Jones.
But a modest Mr Lock, who was born and bred in Rotorua and attended John Paul College, said he was doing what anyone else would do in the same situation.
"I was just doing what needed to be done."
On June 11 last year, Mr Lock was the duty driver for Linton Camp in Palmerston North.
He was one of the first people to arrive at the scene of a serious car crash. Mr Lock went to the aid of an elderly man who was thought to have possible neck injuries. He held the man's head in the correct position until a collar was placed around his neck by ambulance officers. Mr Lock also drove to a school to pick up a colleague's child while that army member continued to help at the crash scene.
Two hours later Mr Lock was again one of the first to arrive at the scene of another serious crash. He helped a young woman with bruising out of one of the cars involved, then went and helped medical staff with two 14-year-old girls who had suffered bruising.
One of the pair was also experiencing an extreme anxiety attack, which Private Lock managed to ease.
Reports from both incidents describe Mr Lock as calm, polite and professional.
"The communication skills he used with individuals who were under stress was inspirational to observe," the citation said.
Ambulance officers said Mr Lock's efforts were the best they had ever received from someone with little medical experience.
Private Lock said he had done a week's first aid course as part of his initial army training.
He said he had always been taught to help people.
"Where help is needed you always offer it. You do what you can and you do it to your best ability."
Mr Lock's mother, Liz Lock, who still lives in Rotorua, said it was a "very proud moment" seeing her son presented with the award.
She said it took her son a while to decide what to do after he left school but being in the army had been the "making of him."
She said she was not surprised her son had stopped to help as he had always been a compassionate person.
New Zealand Army spokesman Major Kristian Dunne said only a few people each year received the Chief of Army Commendation award. It was given out to people who had done an exceptional job or who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Mr Dunne said by his actions Mr Lock had demonstrated the "ethos and values we all have a high regard for in the New Zealand Army."
"He demonstrated great courage and commitment by stopping and rendering assistance, remaining professional throughout. Private Lock is an asset and credit not only to himself but also to the New Zealand Army," Mr Dunne said.
