![]() ![]() In the days before the cyclone was due to hit Forbes was put in charge of Defence Force resources for Hawke's Bay Civil Defence. "We found another 18-odd cars that were trapped with kids and adults and dogs so we managed to get them out of there". "If it wasn't for Davey organising and getting everything sorted, I think our quick reaction, we wouldn't have been there".įorbes said their decision led to dozens of people being saved. "There's obviously rules and regulations that we have to follow, but when the shit hits the fan we just got stuck in and did what we had to do and dealt with the repercussions later." Harrison said going to Esk Valley instead likely broke the chain of command and protocol. ![]() The soldiers said disobeying the order to help people on Glengarry Road was a difficult decision but with power and communication out they knew they had to act quickly. So we just took it upon ourselves just to get out there and try and rescue people". ![]() "We just thought, 'bugger it, let's go', there are people that need to be saved. He and Corporal Storm Harrison were told to head up to Glengarry Road in Puketapu to rescue a trapped family.īut after speaking with volunteer firefighters Harrison quickly realised the problem was much bigger in Eskdale where the river had burst its banks. They were the first two Defence Force personnel in Esk Valley that Tuesday morning.Īs the cyclone pounded Hawke's Bay, Staff Sergeant Davey Forbes was woken at 2am by a phone call from Civil Defence asking for help. The two reservists, based near Napier, say they were ordered to go on a rescue mission to Glengarry Road near Puketapu but decided the bigger emergency was in Esk Valley and went there instead. Locals there were stranded on roofs as floodwaters raged around them. Two soldiers say they disobeyed Civil Defence orders so they could rescue people trapped in Esk Valley during Cyclone Gabrielle. Corporal Storm Harrison (left) and Staff Sergeant Davey Forbes. ![]()
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