‘I knew I had to help’: Hero tradie is praised for running past bystanders taking photos to help treat a seriously injured policeman
- Two police officers were injured in car crash in southwest Sydney on Saturday
- Tradesman Joe Hallak was working in a factory nearby when he heard the crash
- He rushed outside and administered first aid to officer and bandaged his head
- ‘I am ex-military, it’s my duty to help anyone in need,’ he told the Daily Mail
A tradesman has been hailed a hero after rushing to help a policeman who was injured in a horrific car crash.
The officer suffered a serious head wound after a 19-year-old hatchback driver turned into the path of his car as he raced to a call in Punchbowl, southwest Sydney on Saturday.
While other witnesses idly stared or took photos of the carnage, Joe Hallak sprang into action.
‘I was working in a factory nearby when I heard a massive crash,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
Joe Hallak (pictured in the high-vis) helps a policeman after a horrific crash in Sydney
Mr Hallak, pictured with his wife Nissrine at a family event, has been hailed a hero
‘I heard a big bang and round out to check what happened. There were people just taking photos and I knew I had to help.’
Mr Hallak, who was trained in first aid during time in the Lebanese army, wrapped the officer’s head in a bandage to cover the wound before paramedics arrived.
‘I am ex-military, it’s my duty to help anyone in need,’ he said.
A photo of Mr Hallak helping was uploaded to Facebook where dozens praised his actions.
‘Well done champion,’ said one. ‘Much respect,’ wrote another.
At the time of the crash the police car was rushing to an emergency job – with its lights flashing and sirens on – along Belmore Road.
At about 1.40pm, a driver in a hatchback allegedly turned into its path – colliding with the police car before hitting a parked truck.
Two officers were in the car with one suffering a serious head injury and being transported to St George Hospital.
At about 1.40pm Saturday the driver in a hatchback allegedly turned into its path – colliding with the police car before hitting a parked truck
It is believed he is now in a stable condition.
The second officer was not seriously injured but was taken to hospital as a precaution.
The female driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
Nearby residents in Punchbowl rushed to help including the father of the 19-year-old female driver.
‘(My daughter) saw the police at the last moment and then she didn’t know what to do so she just tried to avoid the police car,’ the man told 9 News.
The officers had been on their way to an urgent job at Riverwood when the accident happened.
Campsie Police Area Command are investigating the collision.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crimestoppers.
The officers had been on their way to an urgent job at Riverwood when the accident happened