Rhoda Davidson is ready to forget being stranded on the roof of her submerged car for two hours, as floodwaters swept around her a year ago.
But she was thrilled that Robert Borst and Peter Muldrew got the recognition they deserved yesterday, for putting their own lives at risk to save hers.
At a special ceremony at the Oamaru Opera House, local farmer Mr Borst and North Otago Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sgt Muldrew were awarded bronze medals from the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand.
Mrs Davidson was driving from her Fuchsia Creek home to work on the morning of April 18 last year, when she misjudged the depth and speed of the water crossing the road north of the Five Forks bridge.
Her car was swept down the Kakanui River and caught in a fence.
As the car submerged, she used a fire extinguisher to smash the driver's side window.
A passer-by who saw Mrs Davidson on the roof of her car surrounded by water notified emergency services.
Mr Borst had been shifting stock and saw emergency services arrive nearby.
''I thought, 'Jeez, something has happened down there,' and I thought I'd shoot down there on the four-wheeler,'' he said.
Realising the seriousness of the situation, he brought his tractor to help get Mrs Davidson to safety.
Mr Borst entered the water by tractor, but when he got within 20m of the vehicle, the flood waters forced the tractor sideways, almost lifting it downstream.
That attempt was abandoned.
Power lines were directly above where Mrs Davidson was stranded, making a rescue by helicopter too dangerous.
Several other means of rescue were considered, including a jet-boat.
Mr Borst then suggested his 14-tonne digger could work.
He drove the digger about 1.5km to the scene and manoeuvred it into the river.
''I must admit when I came back there, it would've taken about 20 minutes, I was pleased to see that Rhoda was still sitting on the car,'' he said.
He came close enough to Mrs Davidson that he could reach her with the bucket of the digger, but she was unable to get into it by herself.
So, Mr Borst went back to get Sgt Muldrew.
They both tracked out again, Sgt Muldrew sitting on the front of the engine cowling.
Water was above the engine and it had started seeping into the cab.
He could feel the digger bobbing and he started to worry that water might kill the engine, stranding everyone.
But they got into position, Sgt Muldrew climbed into the bucket, which was extended to full reach, and pulled Mrs Davidson to safety.
She had been stranded on the roof for two hours and was ''cold, stiff and sore''.
Once on land, she was checked over by a paramedic and treated for hypothermia.
Mr Borst and Sgt Muldrew both said they were acting on instinct.
''At the time, it was fairly full on ... [but] it wasn't until I got home that I realised what the hell had happened,'' Mr Borst said.
Photos of the digger in the floodwaters really ''brought home the seriousness'' of the rescue, he said.
Mr Muldrew heaped praise on everyone who attended the crash and offered support.
It was all part of the job, he said, but it was wonderful to get recognition.
''It's just great to see Rhoda here today.''
Royal Humane Society of New Zealand executive officer Norm West said the actions of Mr Borst and Sgt Muldrew, putting their own lives at risk, ensured the safety of Mrs Davidson, ''undoubtedly saving her life''.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher presented Mr Borst and Sgt Muldrew with their medals.
''Congratulations on what you did that day. It certainly must've taken some [brave] action to get out there and do what you did,'' he said.
