TWO Kerang men who combined to stop an armed assailant from attacking a woman and six children three years ago have been recognised for their bravery.
David Gray and Ken Byrne received the Royal Humane Society of Australasia’s Silver Medal from Victorian Governor, Linda Dessau during a ceremony at Government House on Wednesday.
The medals recognise the efforts both men undertook after a Murrabit West man approached the Lloyd Street house on August 9, 2014.
After murdering his partner at Murrabit West, the assailant drove to the home of his former wife and her current husband, Mr Gray, at 11pm. Three of the assailant’s children were at the address as well as two of Mr Gray’s and one other child who was staying over.
The assailant knocked on the door and his ex-wife opened the door and the assailant asked to see her current husband.
Mr Gray refused to go outside and his wife slammed the door shut.
The assailant discharged two shots from a gun into the front door and Mr Gray suffered superficial injuries to his face and upper body and Mrs Gray suffered upper body, face and hand injuries.
Mrs Gray and three of the children managed to flee out through the back door while three other children remained asleep in the lounge room.
Mr Gray heard glass breaking surrounding the door and went to confront the assailant.
A struggle ensued resulting in both men fighting over the shotgun and ending up on the front lawn of the house.
Meanwhile, Mr Byrne, a neighbour, heard the initial shotgun blasts and calls by Mr Gray for help. He grabbed a knife from his kitchen for possible self defence and immediately ran to the scene.
Mr Bryne grabbed the assailant by the shoulders and dragged him away from Mr Gray.
The assailant then fled the scene.
It was the second time Mr Byrne has been recognised for his efforts on the night, after he was presented with the Pride of Australia’s Outstanding Bravery Medal in 2015.
