AN ALBURY girl who comforted her father as he was dying will receive a medal for her bravery.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chevon Parker was on school holidays and travelling with her truck driving dad David in Warwick, Queensland, in April 2008.
A tyre on his vehicle blew and the truck rolled, trapping him inside.
It was very bittersweet to rock up there and to find her and to know that David wasn’t coming home as well
- Amanda Parker
Chevon, who was only five years old at the time, gave her father a drink, a torch and washed his injured hands.
He said he loved her and asked her to tell her mother, Amanda, that he loved her and was sorry he couldn’t go home.
Chevon managed to free herself and was found sitting by the side of the Cunningham Highway by nearby residents.
The vehicle caught alight and Mr Parker did not survive.
Chevon was awarded for her bravery earlier this year and will head to Melbourne on Friday to receive her medal.
Her mother said it had been a struggle travelling to Brisbane after the crash.
“It was horrible,” she said.
“I had to wait, it was a long time and I didn’t know what condition she was in.
“It was very bittersweet to rock up there and to find her and to know that David wasn’t coming home as well.”
But she was proud of what her daughter had done and later nominated her for the bravery award.
“She did things that I can’t imagine doing,” Ms Parker said.
“She’s awesome.
“She came back and told me a lot of things David had said which reassured me.
“She was just brilliant, at five years old, to be able to do what she did and come back from it and live a normal life.”
Chevon is now in Year 8 at Albury High School and said she was proud to win the bravery award.
“I didn’t expect it,” she said.
“I’m excited.”
Chevon’s mother said she still remembered everything about the crash despite being only five at the time of the incident.
“But it’s not distressing to her,” she said.
“She remembers it quite nicely.
“She says she was quiet and calm.”
The award was announced by Governor General Peter Cosgrove in March.
The award is a commendation for brave conduct, which is given after acts of bravery that are considered worthy of recognition.
Chevon has travelled down to Melbourne with family members to collect the award.
The honour will be given at a ceremony at Government House on Friday morning.
