Three people have received Special Honours List New Zealand Bravery Awards for their roles in a dramatic rescue at the mouth of the Rees River in Glenorchy - which took place less than a week after a Wānaka man died in the same location while trying to save his son. 

In January 2023, 48-year-old Linkin Kisling, also known as Leroy Kaaho, entered the fast-flowing river after his 10-year-old son. 

The boy was rescued but his father did not re-emerge. His body was recovered the following day by the Police National Dive Squad. 

Six days later, on January 19, another young boy was pulled by the current on the Rees River into the lake, triggering a second rescue in almost identical conditions. 

This week, three people involved in that second rescue were recognised with New Zealand Bravery Medals (NZBM).

Off-duty police officer Sergeant Harshad (Harry) Ghodke, holidaymaker Susan Burke, and Australian physiotherapist Jonny Young (who died during the rescue attempt) were all honoured for their actions.

Sergeant Harshad swam out to the boy as he was dragged into deeper water by a strong undertow. Exhausted and struggling to keep both himself and the boy afloat, he instructed the child to lie on his back and attempted to return to shore for more help.

Jonny saw Sergeant Harshad returning without the boy and decided to swim out to assist. He reached the child and began pulling him towards land, but the pair were separated in the current and Jonny became fatigued.

Susan then swam out to the pair, reaching the boy - who by then was floating calmly on his back - and bringing him safely to shore. As she returned, onlookers shouted that Jonny had gone under. 

She and two others attempted to locate him, diving repeatedly despite exhaustion, but were unable to find him, and his body was recovered the following day.

The citations state that Susan “ensured the rescue of the young boy” and continued searching “to the limit of her ability”, while Sergeant Harshad’s actions “addressed the immediate panic of the boy”, helping to keep him alive long enough for help to arrive. 

Jonny’s posthumous award recognises his “selfless bravery”.

The New Zealand Bravery Medal recognises acts of bravery and is awarded primarily to civilians.

PHOTO: Unsplash