Minister’s miracle as boy is saved

A MINISTER from the Dandenong Presbyterian Church was recognised with a bravery award last week, after he rescued a boy from electrocution in 2007.
John Rickard received a bronze bravery medal at an awards ceremony for The Royal Humane Society of Australasia.
Just after 5pm on 11 August 2007, a young boy kicked a football onto the church roof and climbed up to retrieve it.
Mr Rickard saw the boy on the roof, and he looked to be suffering from an epileptic fit. Mr Rickard climbed up onto the roof and, fearful for the boy’s safety, spreadeagled himself over him to prevent him falling to the ground. As he did so he received an electric shock and realised that part of the roof must have been electrified and the boy’s convulsions were due to electric shocks.
He remained with the boy until emergency services arrived. The boy suffered extensive injuries and burns and Mr Rickard received burns, cuts and bruises.