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Richard ran to the river’s edge and jumped in, aiming for a rock several metres below. “The girl was slightly downstream,” he said. “Nobody else seemed to have noticed her struggle. The adrenalin kicked in and I just leapt into action.”
Rescued from drowning
Richard landed awkwardly on the rock and shattered both his heels. In great pain and half submerged in the water, he managed to reach the girl before she was pulled under by the current.
A crowd of helpers had gathered at the edge of the river and took the girl from Richard’s arms. “By this stage the agony really set in,” Richard said. “Two men carried me to safety. I didn’t know what was going on but I knew I couldn’t walk.”
The closest hospital to Aceh was in Medan, three hours drive away. From there he was flown to Singapore, where he had a metal plate and 11 screws put into his right foot. Richard had to return to his home in New Zealand to recover and spent several months in a wheelchair.
Red Cross award
As soon as Richard was onto crutches he returned to Indonesia to finish his work. He said: “Receiving this award is a real honour. It’s nice to have something to remember it by rather than just the pain in my feet!”
Richard was awarded the Red Cross Special Service Cross for his heroic act. Stan Fitches, Red Cross board member, presented the medal and said: “This is the most selfless act I’ve heard of in my 46 years working here. This award is given for distinguished service and I have only known it to be presented to two other people.”
Michael Meyer, Red Cross international deputy director, added: “All of us feel humbled knowing we have colleagues who are willing to help others, at risk to themselves. This award is given for an act of gallantry and Richard’s action says it all, it is what our Movement is about.”
Read about the Red Cross in Indonesia | 
