Audio By Carbonatix
The son of a volunteer who died fighting Australian bushfires has been presented with his father's medal for bravery at his funeral.
Harvey Keaton, aged 19 months, wore a uniform and sucked on his dummy as he received his father's posthumous medal at Thursday's funeral near Sydney.
Dozens of firefighters formed a guard of honour to salute Mr Keaton's coffin.
He and colleague Andrew O'Dwyer died on 19 December en route to a blaze, when their fire truck hit a fallen tree.
Mr O'Dwyer, also father to a toddler, will be buried next week.
The bravery award was presented to young Harvey Keaton by New South Wales Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also attended the funeral.
The prime minister said he was there to "remember and give thanks for the life and service of Geoff Keaton".
Photos released by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service showed the toddler being held by his mother as they look at the coffin. A mug with the message "Daddy, I love you to the moon and back!" is seen on the coffin.
The ceremony was attended by Mr Keaton's family and his colleagues in the rural fire service
Mr Keaton was one of three Australian firefighters killed in the recent fires
In addition to Mr Keaton and Mr O'Dwyer, another firefighter died on Monday when high winds overturned his truck, killing one and injuring two others.
Since September, a total of 18 people have died as a result of the fires - seven of them in New South Wales this week alone. Others are missing.
Thousands of firefighters have been deployed every day for months, battling enormous fires that have yet to be brought under control. The vast majority are unpaid volunteers.
The ceremony was attended by Mr Keaton's family and his colleagues in the rural fire service
Mr Keaton was one of three Australian firefighters killed in the recent fires
In addition to Mr Keaton and Mr O'Dwyer, another firefighter died on Monday when high winds overturned his truck, killing one and injuring two others.
Since September, a total of 18 people have died as a result of the fires - seven of them in New South Wales this week alone. Others are missing.
Thousands of firefighters have been deployed every day for months, battling enormous fires that have yet to be brought under control. The vast majority are unpaid volunteers.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
NIA pushes mandatory biometric verification as digital identity reforms expand
3 minutes -
Dress properly for visa interviews; it can influence approval – Ghana’s Ambassador to US urges
10 minutes -
Mahama unveils plans for second phase of ‘Big Push’ road programme for 2027
12 minutes -
President Mahama assures Savannah Region of imminent electrification works
15 minutes -
National Service Authority open to strategic partnerships – Ruth Dela Seddoh
16 minutes -
Mahama pledges to end double-track system by 2027 through expansion of technical and vocational education
18 minutes -
Delta Air Lines marks 20 years in Ghana, poised to offer travel options amid World Cup travel boom
22 minutes -
Turkish opposition fights court ousting of leaders in ruling boosting Erdoğan
26 minutes -
Australian man dies after falling down ravine on hike to Machu Picchu
27 minutes -
Ghanaian pilgrim dies during Tawaf ritual in Mecca
29 minutes -
Stakeholder dialogue in Tamale push for expanded agroforestry to tackle climate change and land degradation
30 minutes -
She refused to increase her sachet water price – and it changed her life forever
38 minutes -
Damang Mine concession should not be politicised — Mahama Ayariga
38 minutes -
An Indian bride dies, rival claims of murder and suicide set off media frenzy
42 minutes -
GNFS averts disaster after diesel tanker crash on Konongo-Accra Highway
43 minutes