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Gary’s a hero Down Under

by Stuart Greer
18/ 6/2008

A LOCAL cop who emigrated to New Zealand has been hailed a national hero after pulling off a daring rescue.

Gary Taylor, 38, moved from Royton to the tranquil town of Turangi last year in search of the quiet life.

But he got more than he bargained for one night last month when a speeding car he was pursuing crashed and exploded. Without hesitation quick-thinking Gary dragged the female passenger from the burning vehicle to safety. Now he has been recommended for a bravery award.

But Gary doesn’t see himself as a hero. "Looking back at it, you do what you have to in the situation," he said. "We put ourselves at risk most days and it is a case of dealing with it and getting on with the job."

Gary, his wife Adele, 38, and their 10-year-old son Matt moved to New Zealand in January last year.Gary said their town has a population of 3,500 and is very quiet compared to Oldham, so when he and his colleague were alerted to be on the look for a car that had sped away from a petrol station without paying his adrenalin started pumping.

After spotting the car, which reached speeds of 90mph, Gary began pursuing it . The chase ended when the driver misjudged two sharp bends and spun out of control before hitting a tree. Just as Gary and his colleague were pulling the driver from the car, the petrol tank caught light.

Gary said: "It was like something out of a film. It wasn’t a small fire that spread, the car exploded and threw us back. We had to act quickly and get the woman out of the car.She was unresponsive when we got to her, she was breathing erratically and had serious head injuries from the impact."

The woman was taken to hospital with severe burns, a fractured skull and spinal injuries. The driver was arrested and has been remanded in custody on theft and driving charges.

And in a bizarre twist Gary received a call from the grandfather of the injured woman and discovered that the man had emigrated to New Zealand from Oldham in the 1960s.

Gary is in line for an award from the police commissioner. His area commander, Bob Burns, said: "Selfless acts of bravery as displayed by these two officers, who put their own lives at risk, is the ultimate and goes beyond just being part of the job."

Gary’s bravery came as no surprise to wife Adele, who used to own Rumbles cafe, close to Oldham bus station.

After 14 years in the Royal Logistics Corps, including service in the Falklands and Bosnia, and seven years with Greater Manchester Police, she says he is a good man to have around in a crisis.

"Gary just took it in his stride," she said. "For him it’s part of the job. We’re all very proud of him."

Gary and Adele are now settling back into the quiet life. They say they still miss Oldham and will be visiting family, including Adele’s sons from a previous relationship, Jonathan, 19, and Ashley, 18, later this year.