Sergeant Willie Tran saved a drowning man two years ago in the Wairoa River. Photo / Warren Buckland
As the Wairoa River flowed late on New Year's Eve two years ago, NapierWashington-based Sergeant Willie Tran made the calculated decision to jump into the roaring current.
Not only was he met with a torrent of water, but also a torrent of abuse.
Now you have been presented with a Royal Humane Society Bravery Award for his heroic actions on that terrifying night.
It was almost dark and Tran and his partner had made every effort to catch a male that had been hanging around the area. Wairoa camp that same night.
“At that time I was working in Mahia for a New Year's operation. We finished our shift, but I was staying in Wairoa, so we went back there early in the morning,” Tran recalled.
“We received a call about a person acting suspiciously at the Wairoa campsite. “The local staff had already been called in for another job and we were close enough to attend.”
Hearing a rustling noise, the pair soon found the topless alleged offender, who immediately ran away.
“He got to the edge of the river and decided he had nowhere to go, so he decided to jump into the river,” Tran said.
Encouraging the man to return was unsuccessful. He continued crossing the river.
“He got maybe halfway there and realized he was in trouble trying to go upstream for a long time. The river was flowing pretty fast and it was still pretty dark,” Tran said.
After about 20 minutes of floating in the water, Tran saw the man begin to sink. He knew he had to do something.
"I had to make the call to go after him."
Tran swam towards the man, who continued to abuse him for almost 40 minutes as they fought against the current.
"He was warning me that if I came close, he was going to do something bad."
A combination of police and surf training was put in place to save the lives of its youth.
“I had to use some slippery empty-handed tactics to hold him down and then I ended up rescuing him and towing him back to the riverbank. It was also about being aware of his surroundings and his safety.”
The man was eventually admitted to Wairoa Hospital for treatment and later taken into custody.
Tran, a selfless hero with 14 years of service in the force, said it was “really humbling” to be recognized for his bravery.
“I think the most important thing for me is that it is difficult for me to be the center of attention. It was a great honor for me and my family to be able to do this in that way. Without them, I don't think I would be able to do this job that I do.”
He also had a message for people over the New Year period.
"Be safe, take care of each other and understand your limits."
Mitchell Hageman joined Hawke's Bay Today at the end of January. From his base in Napier, he writes regularly on social issues, arts and culture, and the community. He has a particular love for stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
