Recipients across the country were honoured on Wednesday for their courage with Australian Bravery Awards, which recognises heroic acts in circumstances other than war.
It was October 2013 when a 34,000-litre fuel tanker lost control, colliding into several cars before bursting into flames on Mona Vale Road in Sydney's northern beaches.
Paul Pollard was driving home from work when he saw the horrific events unfold.
He and his workmate Michael O'Rourke saved the lives of two women trapped in their car.
"Then we removed the ladies from the car. And as I said the fire was heading down the road.
"The cars behind us were on fire and once it did ignite the car that the gentlemen were in it, all the bush and everything went up because everything was soaked in petrol. So yeah it was quite a horrible scene."
Andrew Cochran raced out of his house and also risked his life freeing those trapped, despite the intense heat from the oil-fuelled flames.
"It's a miracle that myself and so many are still here. Yeah the events that unfolded were very quick. At one stage I did end up in the car. Right next to the driver of the vehicle."
Sadly two men died at the scene.
Though it was four years ago, Michael O'Rourke said the tragic events are still etched in his mind.
"It's something I think about most days. I spend a lot of time on the road for work going from job to job. Different things trigger different memories. Yeah it's something I think of every day. "
The three men were awarded the Star of Courage for their extraordinary bravery that day.
Paul Pollard says he is "very proud of it".
"Very honoured to get the award but there's probably bigger heroes than me and Mick, soldiers that risk everything. You know we were just helping out."
Andrew Cochran says he was overwhelmed when he found out his efforts had been recognised.
"I'm not ashamed to cry but to cry like I did at that point, I didn't realise I was still holding so much."
Another Star of Courage recipient - Joel Trist - was awarded for coming to the aid of his friend Brett Connellan who was attacked by a shark last year on the NSW north coast
"He would be the type of person that would do the exact type of thing for me if I was in his position."
A group bravery award went to the team who calmly responded to the 2011 collar bomb hostage threat in Mosman.
Fourteen police officers and victim Maddie Pulver received a collective bravery citation.
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