Michelle-Ann Letman, Staff Reporter

Harriet Phillips and Oliver Rose, honourees who will be receiving the Badge of Honour for Gallantry at the National Heroes' Day ceremony at King's House in October. The two heroes rescued three of four people who were trapped in a bus after it went over a precipice and into the sea in Spring Gardens, Portland. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

His life ambition is to save lives. Oliver Anthony Rose, 21, wants to be a lifeguard.

Rose is one of four people who will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry BH(G) on National Heroes Day in October, for his role in helping to rescue three of four people trapped in a bus, which plunged from a precipice into the sea in Spring Gardens, Portland, on January 18.

One man perished; he died in Rose's arms.

"My first instinct was to save the people from drowning," Rose told The Gleaner. He was at home and witnessed the bus going over the precipice and into the sea.

"Where I live, I can see everything," he said.

Like most boys, at the tender age of five years old, Rose started to go to the river; it was in his later years, at age 17, that he ventured out to sea.

A 'good feeling'

Until his dream of becoming a lifeguard is realised, Rose survives by fishing and farming.

Being recognised for his courageous action by his country, Rose said, is a "good feeling".

"I feel really pleased," he told The Gleaner.

Rose prides himself on being a good swimmer, but admits that he alone could not have saved the three people.

He was assisted by Harriet Adina Phillips, who is also receiving the BH(G) for helping to rescue the three.

Both live in Spring Gardens, a small district located on the beach in Portland.

Phillips, 43, has been living in Portland for more than 20 years, but told The Gleaner she learnt how to swim in her native parish, St Elizabeth, where she lived in the fishing village, Treasure Beach.

Bravery

Phillips' father was a fisherman and, as young as age 12, she would go out to sea with him.

"I wasn't fearful, I saw that people needed help and I assisted," she said, recalling the day of the incident.

The mother of three boys said she felt proud to be recognised for her action, but that it was her sons who were really proud.

"They are always saying 'mommy is a hero'," said Phillips.

michelle-an.letman@gleanerjm.com