Tuesday, July 31, 1973
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After learning of the house collapse, he rushed to the soene where,
together with firemen, he rescued a Chinese woman who was trapped under
concrete and rubble.
At this time, he heard a European boy shouting for help nearby.
The boy was trapped under a mass of debris and Insp. Shirra promptly sent
for assistance and rescue equipment.
The boy was eventually extricated after more than two hours of
effort by the inspector and other rescue workers.
Mr. Berrecloth, a civil engineer not in government service, has
previous experience of rescue work.
He went to the scene voluntarily on the evening of June 18 soon
after he heard about the Kotewall Road disaster at 9 p.m.
Undeterred by the obvious unstable state of the ruins and the
threat of further landslides, he searched around in the dobris trying
to locate likely places to gain access to survivors.
He was instrumental in locating two women and in assisting firemen
in getting them out alive.
Like the others, he acted courageously with complete disregard
for his own safety for six hours at the scene.
Judge T.L. Yang, who chaired the subsequent Commission of Inquiry
into the disaster, commented after hearing Mr. Berrecloth's evidence:
"He is a gentleman who merits very high commendation....... I hope the
authorities concerned will make public recognition of this heroic deed on
the part of Mr. Berrecloth."
Note to Editors:
Copies of photographs of the recipients are distributed separately in the G.I.S. press boxes this (Tuesday) evening.
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