Herald photographer commended for response to Defence truck rollover

The NSW Rural Fire Service has awarded Herald photographer Nick Moir a commissioner’s commendation for his composed and decisive response after he came across a crash involving two Australian Defence Force trucks while covering Cyclone Alfred.

Moir was driving down a rain-slicked road south of Lismore, in northern NSW, when he saw one truck had flipped onto its side and another had rolled into an adjacent paddock. Thirteen ADF personnel had been injured.

Moir, a Rural Fire Service volunteer, took a couple of quick photos of the scene. “But then when I realised the scale of it, it was like, ‘oh, and there’s nobody else here … I’ve got to help these people, I’ve got to go into emergency services mode’,” he said.

Moir on Monday received the Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation for his “exceptional initiative, composure and decisive action”.

He called Triple Zero and co-ordinated with the RFS, providing an accurate GPS location and a detailed situation report so emergency services could quickly respond. He triaged the injuries and reassured distressed victims.

“Despite the confronting nature of the incident, Firefighter Moir went beyond his role as a journalist to assist those in need,” the award citation he received reads. “He remained calm and focused in a chaotic environment, helping to stabilise the situation.”

Emergency services had been pre-positioned in the area in preparation for the cyclone, and dedicated rescue teams were nearby, so they were able to respond quickly. “There was also a lot of luck there,” said Moir, who started at the Herald in 1993.

A “very chuffed” Moir credited the training and support he received through the RFS at Ingleside and the northern beaches for equipping him with the ability to respond.

“Those events, when you do come across them, are pretty full-on,” he said.

“It’s nice to be at a scene and be able to actually help people, rather than witness it and just report on it.

“To be able to also help as first aid and RFS, it makes you feel very good inside.”

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