Brave men ‘honoured’

Mamadou Diallo and Yatin Mehta were among the 46 people honoured by the Governor-General for their brave actions.
The Australian Bravery Decorations honour those Australians who put themselves in danger to protect the lives or property of others.
One of the trapped men died and the other sustained serious leg injuries while allegedly cleaning a mixing tank at an ink manufacturing factory in Auburn.
Shortly after 8.30am on December 12, 2017, Mr Diallo was working in the factory when he heard screaming from another building. 
He and Mr Mehta ran towards the building and saw two men trapped in an ink vat by the agitator blades.
As Mr Diallo climbed into the vat to help, the agitator blades unexpectedly turned and his leg was caught under the blades, breaking his leg. 
After a short time, he was able to free his broken leg and he fell backwards out of the vat onto the factory floor. 
Mr Mehta also slipped and his left leg became stuck under the agitator blade, however he continued to support the man in the ink vat until emergency services arrived.
Congratulating the recipients, Governor General Sam Mostyn (AC) said she was delighted that “these exceptional people will forever know they have earned the gratitude of every Australian”. 
She said the recipients came from different parts of the country and diverse backgrounds, and were connected by their selfless, courageous, resilient and determined response in extraordinary circumstances.
“Each is inspiring,” she said.
“On behalf of all Australians, congratulations to you all and thank you for your bravery.”