Aircrew officer honoured for bravery

QUEENSLAND Rescue Townsville Air Unit's Ian Callaghan has been honoured for his bravery during a dramatic rescue in the Coral Sea.

Ian, an aircrew officer, was awarded the Bronze Medal by the Royal Humane Society of Australia at a ceremony at Government House during February.

On March 9, 1997 Ian was part of a mission that flew into Cyclone Justin in the Coral Sea to rescue sailors Robin and Maggi Ansell from their stricken yacht, SV Orca.

"I could not believe how huge the swells were - these were astronomical sea swells of 40 feet with the bigger ones up to 50 feet," Ian said.

Winds were 115km/h at the rescue scene just 100km from the eye of the raging Cyclone Justin.

The successful rescue, in horrific conditions and at the limit of the helicopter's range, was a miracle. Ian said the rescue was successful due to the efforts of the entire international rescue team.

Ian said Robin and Maggi Ansell were the real heroes after they jumped overboard into the raging seas.

"They had the trust and belief in us that they would be rescued," he said.

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