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The Government Gazette today (August 29) announced that the late Mr Siu Wing-fong, Senior Fireman, and the late Mr Chan Siu-lung, Fireman, had been posthumously awarded the Medal for Bravery (Gold) in recognition of the utmost bravery and self-sacrifice they displayed during a rescue and firefighting operation at Cornwall Court, Mong Kok, on August 10.
The awards will be presented at the 2008 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony in October.
The citations for the late Mr Siu Wing-fong, Senior Fireman and the late Mr Chan Siu-lung, Fireman are as follows -
The late Messrs Siu and Chan are posthumously awarded the Medal for Bravery (Gold) in recognition of the utmost bravery act they displayed during a rescue and firefighting operation at Cornwall Court, Mong Kok, on August 10. Messrs Siu and Chan were tasked to carry out search and rescue operation on 12th floor of the building in response to reports of residents in distress. In the course of their duty, the pair had on several occasions risked their own life to save others. In the process, they not only inhaled some toxic smoke but at the same time consumed large volume of compressed air in their breathing apparatus. Although their air supply was running out after the rescue operation on 12th floor, Messrs Siu and Chan chose not to withdraw but continued with their rescue work. They fought their way to the roof level and found two stranded residents. They offered assistance to and stayed with the residents until their collapse because of excessive smoke inhalation. In the end, the two residents survived but Messrs Siu and Chan were certified dead on arrival at hospital. Messrs Siu and Chan have shown exceptional courage and gallantry of the highest order, and have demonstrated the noblest qualities of a public servant.
Ends/Friday, August 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 00:01
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