Bridgetown constables receive Gold Star for Bravery at the Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards

Two officers from Bridgetown Police Station have been recognised for their bravery after performing CPR on a woman trapped and unconscious in a crashed vehicle, despite the dangers of leaking fluids, broken glass and twisted metal.

Senior Constable Ben Ducker and First Class Constable Dylan Jones were presented with a Gold Star for Bravery for their heroic actions at the single vehicle crash in Baudin in December 2021.

The officers came across the crashed car as they made their way back to the Bridgetown Police Station at the end of their shift, having spent the day providing assistance at the Canebrake fires near Margaret River.

The dust in the air indicated that the vehicle had crashed only moments before they came across the scene.

Constable Jones spoke with the Manjimup-Bridgetown times about his experience, saying they were lucky to have been driving past when they were.

“It was a big scene,” he said. “There was a lot of debris, the car’s engine was out and so was the gearbox.

“It was clear instantly that there was a person inside the vehicle.”

Const. Jones said he and Const. Ducker kept an eye on the danger around them but it was not their main concern, instead focusing on stablising the women who remained in the driver’s side seat.

After calling for backup — and despite leaking fluids, broken glass and twisted metal — the officers managed to enter the vehicle and maintain the driver’s airway until other emergency services arrived about 30 minutes later.

Const. Jones said everyone on site did a good job which allowed a good outcome, including the efforts of the ambulance officers and firefighters.

“I’d like to acknowledge emergency services as a whole,” he said. “It’s not just our honour to have.”

The officers humbly played down their heroics.

“I keep saying, while it’s nice to be recognised, it’s kind of all part of the job,” Const. Jones said.

“I feel happy to have done it but I certainly don’t consider myself a hero.”

The Gold Star for Bravery was presented to the officers on September 30 at the Royal Life Saving Bravery Awards, which recognise and acknowledge the efforts and actions of everyday people within the community who have performed a rescue or resuscitation, applying their knowledge to save another’s life.

Seventy-five heroes from across the State were honoured during this year’s ceremony, 37 of which were police officers who were recognised for exceptional rescues, both in the line of work and while off-duty.