North Otago rescuers Robert Borst and Sergeant Peter Muldrew received a certificate of achievement at the NZSAR Council's annual awards ceremony last night for their rescue last year of Rhoda Davidson from her car, which had become stuck in the middle of a swollen North Otago creek.
Farmer Mr Borst and Sgt Muldrew were acknowledged for their ''quick thinking, local knowledge, practical approach, coupled with a good dose of courage'' in rescuing Mrs Davidson from the river, using a 14-tonne digger.
Mr Borst said he had acted on instinct and it was ''very humbling'' to receive an award.
Sgt Muldrew heaped praise on everyone else involved in the rescue.
It was ''all part of the job'', he said, but it was ''very nice'' to get recognition.
The men's efforts were also recognised on Monday, when they received, at a ceremony in Oamaru, bronze medals from the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand for their part in the rescue.
