Two Luxembourg residents were each awarded a national saviour of a human life order for their life-saving quick thinking back in July of last year.
As part of Luxembourg National Day 2016, Minister of the Interior, Dan Kersch, presented two awards for an "act of courage and bravery" to Olivier Zirnheld and Christian Berens, who performed first aid on their friend Guy when the latter became the victim of cardiac arrest during a cycling trip in Austria. They carried out first aid for fifteen minutes until help arrived, saving Guy's life and enabling him to make a full recovery.
Five officers of the Administration des services de secours and 70 volunteer firefighters were also bestowed awards at the ceremony, held on Tuesday evening at the "An Huef" cultural centre in Weiler-la-Tour.
"Volunteers are at the heart of the emergency services and will remain an essential pillar of the future Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS)," Minister Kersch stated during his speech, promising "The emergency services will continue to grow around volunteering."
The Minister paid tribute to the heroic efforts of Zirnheld and Berens, and expressed the government's respect and gratitude for the availability and commitment of all volunteers in the service of others.
Photos by R. Brausch (Top L-R): Christian Berens; Olivier Zirnheld
