DJ People of the Year Awards - '˜Outstanding Bravery' award for Davitt Walsh and Stephanie Knox

Siobhan Walsh and Marina Knox accepting the Outstanding Bravery of the Year Award on behalf of Davitt Walsh and Stephanie Knox from Arthur Duffy editor Derry Journal and Airporters Jennifer McKeever at the Derry Journal People of the Year Awards in the Everglades Hotel Derry on Thursday evening last. DER3616GS059

The pair hit national and international headlines in March of this year following the Buncrana Pier tragedy.

In the tragedy, Derry woman Louise James lost her partner, Sean McGrotty, her children Evan and Mark, her mother Ruth Daniels and her sister Jodi Lee Daniels when the car they were in sank off the pier at Buncrana.

Davitt Walsh and his partner Stephanie Knox were in the area at the time. When they saw the car sinking, Davitt Walsh swam into the water and succeeded in rescuing four-month-old Riognach Ann McGrotty.

His partner Stephanie Knox removed the baby’s clothes and wrapped her in warm clothes inside the car, saving her life.

On meeting Louise James in the aftermath of the tragedy,Davitt Walsh said he was sorry that he couldn’t do more.

In a tearful exchange, Ms. James said she would be eternally grateful to him for saving the life of her daughter adding that the pair would have a bond together for the rest of their lives.

Davitt Walsh and his partner were out of the country on the night of the awards so their award was presented to Siobhan Walsh, mother of Davitt and Marina Knox, mother of Stephanie on their behalf.