West Flanders’ Governor Carl Decaluwé on Thursday honoured bus driver Jerko Tipuric with a medal and certificate for acts of bravery and self-sacrifice.
The award was presented by the Governor at his official residence in Brugge.
On 29 November last year, the former Croatian defender and football coach, known for his time with Cercle Brugge, rescued 16 passengers from his bus. The vehicle had stopped suddenly on the railway tracks in Veldegem, near Zedelgem. Tipuric managed to evacuate all his passengers, who were school-bound children.
Minutes later, a train slammed into the bus, destroying it completely.
‘You are an example of civic spirit and courage, and an exceptional man," Governor Decaluwé said as he presented the award to the 65-year-old, who was flanked by members of his family.
"Honestly, presenting this medal also affects me, because those images from Zedelgem left no one unmoved, the Governor added. "You have given 16 young lives a bright future, because an absolute disaster was avoided here."
Tipuric will also be congratulated by King Philippe during the national holiday on 21 July.
