Police, civilians awarded for heroic attempt to save woman from burning vehicle

Like most people who act bravely while trying to help somebody, Ryan Brewsterdoesn't believe he's a hero.

On the evening of Oct. 24, last year, Brewsterwas near 97th Street and 160thAvenue in north Edmonton when he saw aspeeding car slaminto the back of anSUV, which burst into flames and veered off the road.

"A big explosion. A big fire," Brewster recalled. "Something you didn't think was going to happen, happened.

"First thing I did was react and just said I've got tohelp."

They tried everything they could to save that woman.- Const.SasaNovakovic

Brewsterand fourother passersby ran to the burning SUV to get the driver out.

Moments later, Edmonton police officerSasaNovakovic, who was alsopassing by,was alarmed to see so many people near theburning vehicle.

He feared a "full Hollywood explosion" and went to get everyone away from theSUV.

"It wasn't until that moment that I realized why they were reaching into this vehicle. Because they were trying to help this woman who was trapped."

Const.Novakovichad to drag one man away from the fire for his own safety, he said.

Despitetheir efforts, they could not save the driver.

Last night,Brewster,Novakovic,BradleyChalmers, Benjamin Sacks, NealSeifeddineand JohnWajaraswere recognized for their courage atthe crash scene at theEdmonton Police Commission Citizen Awards.

Theawards acknowledge citizens who have intervened in a crime in progress, assisted the Edmonton Police Service in apprehending an offender, played a major role in the successful outcome of a police investigation, or put themselves at personal risk by coming to the aid of a police officer or fellow citizen in a dangerous situation.

Novakovicdescribed the commendation as bittersweet.

"I want to express my deep appreciation and respect for the actions theyperformed on that day because they were completelyselfless and completely courageous and they tried everything they could to save that woman," Novakovic said.

But Brewstermaintainedhe's not a hero.

"There's people that do this for a living," said Brewster. "There's heroes and people that deserve awards on a daily basis our police service, our firefighters, our ambulance drivers.

"I was just someone who showed up, did what I could and apparently they liked what I did."

• Woman killed in fiery collision in north Edmonton
• Driver in fatal97thStreet crash facing criminal charges

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Travis.mcewan@cbc.ca