Awards recognise lifesaving actions

A Margaret River resident already well-seasoned by disaster and a WA Police officer who served time here were honoured this week for risking their lives to save others. The Governor-General’s Australian Bravery Decorations singled out builder Peter Fabrici and Senior Constable Daniel Murphy for citations. Both men were hailed for bravery when they attended separate burning vehicle wrecks, with their swift action vital to saving a life. It was not the first time Mr Fabrici received media attention for remaining cool in the face of fierce flames. During the 2011 bushfires, the Orchid Ramble resident stayed to protect the house he built himself and ended up sheltering at the bottom of a neighbour’s pool wearing scuba gear as the blaze tore overhead. Mr Fabrici was likewise well prepared when he came upon a burning vehicle on January 1 last year while driving to Augusta. He stopped at the two-car crash and used a personal fire extinguisher on one car’s burning front end when he noticed the female driver trapped behind the wheel with the door damaged and unable to be opened. “The driver of the second vehicle had exited his car, and despite sustaining facial injuries and being dazed, had gone to check on the trapped driver,” the award report said. When the extinguisher and several bottles of water failed to reduce the fire, Mr Fabrici dampened the flames with a heavy tarpaulin and then wrestled the driver free via the back seat. Fire then overran the vehicle. Snr Const. Murphy was lauded for his heroics along with another officer on July 6, 2019. A 35-year-old man from Gnarabup was pulled unconscious from the burning wreck of his station wagon on Wallcliffe Road just after midnight. At the time, police Sergeant Luke Fowler said he would recommend both officers for bravery awards, because without their swift action, the driver would have died. Police were on patrol at the time. Mr Fabrici’s 2011 heroics were reported by the Times soon after more than 50 homes were destroyed during the twin bushfires. The two houses Mr Fabrici built on the street were among the only ones left standing. An experienced diver and professional builder, when the firestorm crashed down on his home, Mr Fabrici grabbed a trolley containing his scuba gear and kicked through a fence to shelter at the bottom of his neighbour’s swimming pool. He later helped volunteer firefighters save another home.