By Ceola Wilson

Every day people who jumped to the rescue to save lives were honoured for their heroic efforts last night at the annual Bermuda Bravery Association Awards.

Nine recipients were awarded with certificates of recognition by Governor George Fergusson.

Spokesman Mark Selley said the Bermuda Bravery Association “feels an obligation to put into place this positive programme and to recognise these very special individuals”.

“In a crazy busy world where we are all too often caught up in ourselves, little or no thought is given to helping our fellow mankind.

“Tonight ironically, we all salute a room full of heroes who have saved or tried to save the lives of people they didn’t even know.

“Now more than ever before Bermuda is hungry for some positive and healthy uplifting,” he said.

Among those honoured were two police officers who dragged horses and cattle from blazing stables, putting their own lives at risk.

PC Gavin Richardson and WPC Tiffany DeSilva were all smiles on receiving their awards for quick thinking and action on January 27, 2012, when they responded to the 911 call reporting a structural fire at a horse stable on the Railway Trail on Cobb’s Hill in Warwick.

Both officers entered the blazing stables to set the animals free.

Also honoured for bravery was Richard Dickenson whose quick thinking when he witnessed a man in difficulty while swimming at Coot Pond in St George’s on February 19, 2010.

Mr Dickenson swam out to rescue Eugene Broadley, a stroke survivor, from drowning.

Two employees at Fairmont Southampton Resort were acknowledged for their heroic bid to save a woman and her two children when their car skidded off the road in Southampton.

The accident occurred on may 30, 2011 on South Road. The vehicle came to rest “precariously on the edge of a steep faced cliff embankment”.

Presenter William Madeiros said they “risked their lives to help save all three passengers”.

Lucius Lindo and Errol Vassell were also greeted by the family they rescued on receiving their awards.

Dr DeVon Binns, a dentist, and Barrie Cohen, who no longer resides in Bermuda, were honoured for assisting a man who was choking on food in a restaurant.

The incident occurred on August 19, 2011 when Teddy Chapman, a patron, began choking on a piece of food that was lodged in his throat and blocking his airway.

Said Mr Madeiros: “Care was provided by performing abdominal thrusts, commonly known as the Heimlich Maneouvre, in order to clear the airway.”

Also reunited after 16 years were Paul Farrington who rescued Kelvina Wilson from drowning when she was only three years old. She was there with her son who told that he would not have had a mother were it not for Mr Farrington’s bravery so many years ago.

The Bravery Association was formed in 1976 with the aim of recognising those who help others in life-threatening situations.