Police backtrack on dramatic crash rescue story after dashcam disputes events stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sergeant Brett Neal has been recognised for his bravery after climbing into a burning vehicle and covering a man with his own body until firefighters arrived.
Taranaki helicopter pilot Alan Beck has been acknowledged for one of his proudest pieces of work.
Nearly three decades on from breaking his back when his helicopter crashed into wires on a farm, Taranaki pilot Alan Beck still wakes up in sweats, screaming. From then on, he made it his mission to raise awareness about the dangers of wires, such as electric fences or old TV lines, but it wasn’t until his friend and fellow pilot died in a similar crash that he set up a campaign to make a difference. Beck is one of this year s two New Year Honours recipients from Taranaki, and has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his dedication to aviation and agriculture.