Two Macedon Ranges mates who pushed a child out of the path of an out-of-control ute have been recognised with bravery medals.
Chris Meacham and Lucas Dowson were about to start cutting firewood in a paddock near Wallan on May 4, 2014, when they saw the ute careering down a hill and heading towards their children, who were playing nearby.
When Mr Meacham’s son Archie, then 4, froze in the path of the vehicle, the pair raced to sweep him out of harm’s way.
Both Mr Meacham and Mr Dowson were hit by the ute, which had become airborne, and both suffered serious injuries that continue to have a dramatic impact on their lives.
Mr Meacham, who recently moved to Bullengarook from Sunbury, said while he had been unable to return to work as an electrician and had to quit as coach of his beloved Sunbury Kangaroos, it was impossible to put a price on the life of his boy.
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‘‘I just had a feeling that day that something wasn’t right,’’ the father of four said.
‘‘We went anyway and were setting up to start cutting wood … next thing we knew this Hilux was coming straight for us, breaking through trees.
‘‘Archie was just star-struck … he was just frozen, staring at the car.
‘‘We both dropped our chainsaws and sort of swept him up from either side. Archie popped up in the air and the car hit me and Lucas.’’
Mr Meacham sustained serious injuries, including to a shoulder and knee. He continues to have experimental surgery in the hope of regaining proper movement.
Mr Dowson, who lives in Darraweit Guim, received major abdominal injuries, a punctured lung and nerve damage. He was in a wheelchair for three months afterwards.
Both men said the support of family and friends had been crucial.
‘‘If anyone deserves a medal, it’s my wife and my kids,’’ Mr Dowson said.
Mr Meacham agreed there had been plenty of ‘‘ups and downs’’ along the way.
‘‘I’ve replayed it a lot, but it is what it is,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ll just keep pushing through.’’
