Gowriedath ’Boyie’ Hanooman saved his family from a burning ambulance back in March 2008, and for this he will be awarded the Chaconia Silver Medal for gallantry.

But he will not be there to receive it.

Hanooman died in April, his weakened heart finally failing him after months of suffering.

Much of the final year of his life was spent in a wheelchair, Hanooman, 64, was content - his actions that day gave a second chance at life to his cancer-stricken daughter Sharda, sister-in-law Savitri Pandeosingh, 59, and wife Samdaye, 57.

Sharda Hanooman, 29, said yesterday: ’I want to tell him I am proud of him. He was a great simple soul who touched many lives in different ways.’

That fateful day, Hanooman was in his car following the ambulance carrying Sharda to hospital. The vehicles were travelling along the Monroe Road, headed for the Chaguanas District Hospital, when the ambulance suddenly filled with fire.

’Boyie’ Hanooman told the Express then: ’I saw flames through the back window of the ambulance. I could not believe it. I looked around for a bush fire thinking it was a reflection. Then I saw smoke coming out.’

Hanooman said he saw the male paramedics who were attending to his daughter open the back door and tumble onto the road.

’Then he started running towards me. I stopped and asked ’Where you going, man? Let’s go back. They need help. So he came with me. When I reach the door, I hearing the banging. My daughter tell me how she had to pull Aunt away from the flames.

’I got them out, then started calling for my wife. She was out but so many burns.’

Hanooman also went in search of the other ambulance driver with a fire extinguisher, but she also made it out with burns.

His actions, Hanooman said, were driven by love.

’I couldn’t let this thing happen to my family. Now I pray for my wife.’

In the end, daughter Sharda Hanooman recovered.

Wife Samdaye and her sister spent five months at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida, undergoing surgery and agonising rehabilitation.

The decision to send the sisters to the United States was taken after a campaign by the Express and the perseverance of Sharda Hanooman.

Sharda Hanooman said she saw several letters to the editor suggesting that her father be recognised for his actions.

’We are overwhelmed, gratified that people took note. My mom is doing good. She thinks my father deserves it.’

Savatri Pandeosingh now lives in New York with relatives. She too has recovered.

Sharda Hanooman said of her father: ’He didn’t think twice about the consequences of what he was doing that day. He just reacted.

And even if it wasn’t his family, he would have done the same thing. So would I. That is what he taught us.’

Hanooman’s brother and son will attend tonight’s function to receive the award.

The cause of the fire, fueled by oxygen tanks in the ambulance, has never been publicly disclosed.

-Richard Charan