I am writing to complain about the inaccuracy of a story on the front page of a major Canberra newspaper today. The events described in the story ‘Quick thinking saves woman from torrent’ gives credit to the wrong man for saving a young woman from a car that had slid into a drain on Lady Denman Drive.
The story describes the heroic actions of a Page man and even goes on to include supporting quotes from the mans father on holiday in Bateman’s Bay as a testimonial to his brave actions being typical. It seems incredible that the journalist went to considerable lengths to locate and interview the coastal relative without bothering to check that the events described by the Page man were a true and correct account of what happened.
As a witness to the accident I can confirm it was actually another man that jumped into the water to save the young woman. This man, unjustly described by the newspaper as ‘the other man’, jumped into the water, lifted the girl through the drivers side window of her car, and carried her to safety. I then watched him stand in the pouring rain while he offered support and reasurance to the girl, which he had put onto the passenger seat of his car, whilst he waited for the police and ambulance to arrive. Ironically, this ‘other man’ was congratulated with a pat on the back by the Page man for rescuing the young woman.
I feel disappointed that some people choose to take credit for the actions of others and am frustrated that a major newspaper clearly failed to interview all involved. I also feel deeply saddened for ‘the other man’ who it seems will remain unrewarded and unrecognised for his brave and selfless act.
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