MAGISTRATE Tony Murray yesterday described the facts relating to Darren Anthony Russell’s rescue from a burning truck as “almost like a movie”.
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Mr Murray commended the efforts of off-duty Victorian policeman Anthony Jasinowicz and his friend, Mick Hall.
“If there are suitable rewards for bravery, they deserve that recognition,” Mr Murray said.
Mr Jasinowicz, 23, gave a first-hand account of the crash and rescue.
They were in a taxi at a red light on East Street when they heard loud crashing sounds above their head.
They turned in their seats to see a large cloud of dust and debris fly across the back of the taxi.
The taxi driver panicked and drove forward but they forced him to stop, got out and ran to the wreckage, realising it was a truck.
It had crashed into a wall and Mr Jasinowicz said he could hear someone screaming as Mr Hall rang triple-0.
“I attempted to run up the embankment but the ground was slippery from the spills of the truck, so I removed my thongs as I could not run with them,” Mr Jasinowicz said.
There was broken glass, diesel and debris and Russell was still alive.
Mr Jasinowicz began to drag Russell out by his right shoulder.
“The interior of the truck cabin had now begun to burn, with flames rolling above our heads and the truck tyres were exploding underneath us,” Mr Jasinowicz said.
“I had the driver halfway out of the window when his seatbelt got wrapped around his leg.
“He was injured and could not assist me and he (couldn’t move his legs).
“I then reached into the cabin and released his leg from the belt.
“I was then able to put the majority of his weight on my shoulders but I slipped on the broken glass and diesel and fell down with the driver across my shoulders on the slope.”
Mr Hall provided assistance and Russell was carried down the slope through thick smoke and put on a grass area about 150m away.
Seconds later, the truck exploded.
