Photo: Courtesy of Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — In a ceremony commemorating the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 on Monday, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll presented the Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery to four Berlin residents.
Brian Clemmer, Dylan Clemmer, Bobby Wheeler, and Jonathan Goals were presented with the award for their extraordinary rescue following an explosion in a residential area.
On the evening of April 13, 2023, two leaking 100-pound propane gas cylinders caused an explosion that demolished a two-story home and damaged several houses and vehicles nearby.
Knowing there were two women living in the collapsed home at the time of the explosion, the four heroes rushed to try to find any sign of life. They successfully removed one of the women, carrying her to safety over live power lines before a second explosion occurred and killed the remaining occupant.
“As Amy’s conversation with officials on the ground provided critical, real-time information about the 9/11 attacks, these Berlin residents' swift response to locate and save a person buried beneath a demolished home saved her life,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrance Reidy.
Sweeney was an American Airlines flight attendant for 14 years and was killed aboard American Airlines Flight 11, the first aircraft hijacked by terrorists and flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Sweeney was able to convey critical information to the ground services crew in the flight’s final minutes.
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