Junee’s John Gentle and Graeme Guelfi have been awarded the Governor General’s Group Bravery Citation as part of the Australian Bravery Decorations.

Mr Gentle and Mr Guelfi stopped to pull three people from two cars that collided head-on 5.5km north of Bomen on the afternoon of February 5, 2007.

A 51-year-old woman sustained critical injuries when the Subaru station wagon she was driving towards Junee collided with a Ford sedan driven by 56-year-old Gary Lowe, of Wagga. 

The area was cleared of bystanders before both vehicles caught alight in a fiery blaze.

Mr Gentle and Mr Guelfi assisted the woman’s 21-year-old son, who was travelling as a passenger, from the vehicle while comforting the trapped woman until she was able to be rescued. 

The pair then prised open the rear door of the car and pulled the driver's seat down, enabling her to be dragged from the vehicle and lifted to safety. 

The men then cut the seatbelt from Mr Lowe’s body, and removed him from the vehicle. 

The pair also tried to put out the flames with small fire extinguishers.

Mr Lowe died at ths scene, but the woman and her son were pulled from their car and saved because of Mr Gentle and Mr Guelfi’s bravery.

Police at the time praised the efforts of them as passing motorists.

Mr Lowe, of Wagga, worked as the Cargill Beef Australia on-plant trainer and was remembered as a man who was able to communicate with people from all walks of life.

The Australian Bravery Decorations were established in 1975 to recognise acts of bravery in other than warlike situations, by people who put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.

Mr Gentle and Mr Guelfi are two of just 151 recipients of the Group Bravery Citation since it was established.

The award recognise a collective act of bravery by a group of persons in extraordinary circumstances that is considered worthy of recognition.