The heart-wrenching moment firefighter's son awarded medal for fallen dad
A volunteer firefighter killed during the NSW bushfire crisis has been farewelled in an emotional funeral procession attended by his fiancee and young son.
Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died when his fire truck rolled while battling the large Green Wattle Creek blaze near the town of Buxton.
Mr Keaton was remembered at a funeral at Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury on Thursday morning.
Fiancee Jess Hayes and young son Harvey were part of a long procession of fire trucks that drove to the service in tribute to Mr Keaton.
Striking images from the service captured the emotional moment Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons honoured Mr Keaton by awarding him posthumously a Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery and a Commissioner’s Commendation for Service.
Mr Fitzsimmons can be seen bending down to pin the award on Harvey’s shirt as the young boy stands patiently.
Other images posted on Facebook by the NSW Rural Fire Service show Ms Hayes holding Harvey as they stand over Mr Keaton’s coffin, decorated in a large bunch of flowers and pictures of the 32-year-old father.
An RFS guard of honour was also formed, with hundreds of emergency responders seen solemnly saluting Mr Keaton.
The 32-year-old was part of the 68-strong Horsley Park Rural Fire Brigade.
"An additional public memorial service is also currently being planned by NSWRFS in the coming weeks," the brigade said.
Hundreds of people took to Facebook to pay their own tributes to the hero.
“So unbelievably sad. Such a selfless, heroic human being who unfortunately paid the ultimate price. RIP hero and all my thoughts are with your family, friends and fellow fighters,” one woman wrote.
“Our sincere condolences to his family. We are forever grateful for his dedication to helping others. Little man, grow up knowing your father was the best, the most selfless and be proud. So sorry he is not still with you in life but he will be walking beside you,” another said.
“Bloody hell this breaks my heart!..... One day you will realise how much your Dad meant to Australia little man!” a third person said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny were among those paying tribute to Mr Keaton.
Volunteer Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, was also killed in the crash and will be remembered at a separate service next week.
- with AAP
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