The city of Des Moines recognized the men credited with a rescue seen around the world. On June 30th, three members of a Cramer and Associates construction crew jumped into action to save one woman from drowning with her husband.
"I didn't do anything real special or real different that day," says 28 year old Chad Colbank. The supervisor on duty's quick thinking put a rescue plan into action. No one will soon forget the image of Jason Olgesbee dangling over the Des Moines River as Neely hangs on for her life. Certainly not Jason's mother. "Very proud, very scared for him, but very proud," says Sharon Steward.
At an award ceremony this afternoon, Des Moines Fire Chief John TeKippe honored the men for having what he calls the right stuff at the right time. He praised Colbank's leadership, crane operator Joe Lowe's skill and Olgesbee for his bravery. Yet the 47 year old who put his life on the life wants out of the spotlight. "I want all of this to be over with and I think Mrs. Neely would like all of this to be over with," says Olgesbee. "All the press attention, I'm not used to it."
"He's just very humble about this. He feels bad her husband wasn't saved," says Steward. She says Neely wrote her son and the other rescuers a letter thanking them for what they did that day." Joe Lowe was not present to accept his award this afternoon. The two men, along with co-president Robert Cramer received a standing ovation in the city council chambers.
"I didn't do anything real special or real different that day," says 28 year old Chad Colbank. The supervisor on duty's quick thinking put a rescue plan into action. No one will soon forget the image of Jason Olgesbee dangling over the Des Moines River as Neely hangs on for her life. Certainly not Jason's mother. "Very proud, very scared for him, but very proud," says Sharon Steward.
At an award ceremony this afternoon, Des Moines Fire Chief John TeKippe honored the men for having what he calls the right stuff at the right time. He praised Colbank's leadership, crane operator Joe Lowe's skill and Olgesbee for his bravery. Yet the 47 year old who put his life on the life wants out of the spotlight. "I want all of this to be over with and I think Mrs. Neely would like all of this to be over with," says Olgesbee. "All the press attention, I'm not used to it."
"He's just very humble about this. He feels bad her husband wasn't saved," says Steward. She says Neely wrote her son and the other rescuers a letter thanking them for what they did that day." Joe Lowe was not present to accept his award this afternoon. The two men, along with co-president Robert Cramer received a standing ovation in the city council chambers.
