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The government announced today (Wednesday) that nine persons have been awarded the Bravery Awards.
In recognition of the bravery they displayed in the China Airlines plane crash on August 22, 1999, two members of the public have been awarded the Medal for Bravery (Gold), four Fire Services officers and one Police officer have been awarded the Medal for Bravery (Silver) and one Police officer has been awarded the Medal for Bravery (Bronze).
One member of the public has also been awarded the Medal for Bravery (Bronze) in recognition of her bravery shown in a fire which occurred on July 30, 1999.
The awards will be presented at the 1999 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony to be held on the next Saturday (October 9).
The following are the citations on the award recipients.
Citations
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Medal for Bravery (Gold) (MBG)
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Mr KWOK Kam-ming
Mr KWOK is awarded the MBG in recognition of his greatest possible bravery in helping others. On 22 August 1999, Mr KWOK was on the China Airlines flight No.CI 642 which crashed and caught fire while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport. Despite the chaotic situation and the imminent danger of fire and explosion, he displayed courage in calming others and in assisting with the escape and evacuation of the passengers. He attended to an unconscious passenger before he left. Voluntarily staying in a situation of extreme danger in order to help others escape, Mr KWOK has shown selfless courage and gallantry of the highest order.
Mr TAM Chung-keung, Joemy
Mr TAM is awarded the MBG in recognition of his greatest possible bravery in helping others. On 22 August 1999, Mr TAM was on the China Airlines flight No.CI 642 which crashed and caught fire while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport. Despite the chaotic situation and the imminent danger of fire and explosion, he displayed courage in calming others and in assisting with the escape and evacuation of the passengers. He stayed behind to attend to an unconscious passenger until the emergency rescue personnel arrived. Voluntarily staying in a situation of extreme danger in order to help others escape, Mr TAM has shown selfless courage and gallantry of the highest order.
Medal for Bravery (Silver) (MBS)
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Mr David Neil BENNETT
Mr BENNETT is awarded the MBS in recognition of his bravery in a rescue operation after a China Airlines aircraft crashed while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport on 22 August 1999. As one of the first police officers arriving at the scene, Mr BENNETT worked under an extremely precarious situation as the fierce fire posed a threat of triggering off a major explosion. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Mr BENNETT has shown excellent courage, leadership and determination in entering the cabin several times to assist with the rescue.
Mr CHEUNG Chi-ming
Mr CHEUNG is awarded the MBS in recognition of his bravery in a rescue operation after a China Airlines aircraft crashed while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport on 22 August 1999. As one of the first fire fighting crew arriving at the scene, Mr CHEUNG worked under an extremely precarious situation as the fierce fire posed a threat of triggering off a major explosion. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Mr CHEUNG has shown excellent courage and determination in entering the cabin to conduct search and rescue of casualties.
Mr CHAN Chiu-ming
Mr CHAN is awarded the MBS in recognition of his bravery in a rescue operation after a China Airlines aircraft crashed while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport on 22 August 1999. As one of the first fire fighting crew arriving at the scene, Mr CHAN worked under an extremely precarious situation as the fierce fire posed a threat of triggering off a major explosion. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Mr CHAN has shown excellent courage and determination in fighting the fire and entering the cabin to conduct search and rescue of casualties.
Mr LAU Wai-yan
Mr LAU is awarded the MBS in recognition of his bravery in a rescue operation after a China Airlines aircraft crashed while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport on 22 August 1999. As one of the first fire officers arriving at the scene, Mr LAU worked under an extremely precarious situation as the fierce fire posed a threat of triggering off a major explosion. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Mr LAU has shown excellent courage, leadership and determination in fighting the fire and leading his team to enter the cabin for search and rescue of casualties.
Mr TAM Siu-hung
Mr TAM is awarded the MBS in recognition of his bravery in a rescue operation after a China Airlines aircraft crashed while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport on 22 August 1999. As one of the first fire fighting crew arriving at the scene, Mr TAM worked under an extremely precarious situation as the fierce fire posed a threat of triggering off a major explosion. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Mr TAM has shown excellent courage and determination in fighting the fire and entering the cabin to conduct search and rescue of casualties.
Medal for Bravery (Bronze) (MBB)
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Mr TSANG Siu-ping
Mr TSANG is awarded the MBB in recognition of his bravery in a rescue operation after a China Airlines aircraft crashed while attempting to land on the Hong Kong International Airport on 22 August 1999. As one of the first police officers arriving at the scene, Mr TSANG worked under an extremely precarious situation as the fierce fire posed a threat of triggering off a major explosion. Regardless of the imminent danger to his own life, Mr TSANG has shown excellent courage in assisting with the rescue.
Miss KWONG Lai-yin
Miss Kwong is awarded the MBB in recognition of her bravery in helping others. On 30 July 1999, she attended to a cry for help from her neighbour whose kitchen was on fire. Consciously aware of the danger to herself and others, Miss Kwong responded bravely and selflessly in putting out the fire. As a result, Miss Kwong sustained injury to her face, neck and arms. Voluntarily exposing herself to danger in helping others, Miss Kwong has shown exemplary courage in the incident.
End/Wednesday, September 29, 1999
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