boy's life.

Stuart Randles and Eugene Pitt snatched little Gianluca Cacace from the ocean on the North Shore in Pembroke as the child floated on his back.

And they helped the boy's father Domenico administer CPR to the 22 month-old child before an ambulance arrived.

Mr. Randles, and Mr. Pitt, both 37, were among six people presented with Bermuda Bravery Award Association awards by Governor Thorold Masefield at a ceremony in Government House.

Mr. Cacace said: "I don't think words can express the thanks I feel. It was as though they had been brought from God. We are very lucky.'' Mr. Randles, of Warwick, and Mr. Pitt, from Smith's Parish, air conditioning engineers employed by Cool Air Bermuda, were working on a house on the North Shore on May 31 this year when Mr. Pitt said he heard an inner voice telling him to look out to the sea.

"The first time I didn't pay it any attention, but it kept saying `look overboard' and eventually I saw him floating,'' he said.

Local heroes honoured for bravery "Stuart, myself and the apprentice ran to the rocks and Stuart swam to the baby and brought him back to me.'' Mr. Randles said: "The baby was still conscious but was on his back flapping in a panic. As soon as we pulled him from the water he lost consciousness.

"We think his brother had gone to the water to feed the fish and he had followed him down the path and lowered himself into the water.

"I wasn't really thinking what to do. We got the baby to the rocks and between us we administered CPR.

"Eugene suggested we put him on his side to let the water drain out and his father came down and administered mouth-to-mouth while I pumped his stomach and he regained consciousness.'' Mr. Cacace, who works in La Coquille restaurant in Hamilton and has another son and daughter, said he was also grateful to his employers for teaching him CPR a few months before the near drowning.

"When they brought him out there were so many things going through my mind. I thanked God it was the first day that the water was so flat,'' he said. "I also need to thank my boss for teaching us CPR. Everyone should know how to do it.'' Two lifeguards, Nathan Trott and Caroline Black, were also honoured for a series of multiple rescues on Horseshoe Bay on August 11.

They helped six people to safety who got into trouble in the stormy water due to rip tides caused by Hurricane Albert. Mr. Trott's father Peter collected his award, and Ms Black's sister Rachel appeared on her behalf.

Horse and carriage driver David Randall Burrows Sr. was honoured for thwarting a cyclist who tried to rob two of his passengers near the Southampton Princess on July 31.

Mr. Burrows grabbed the would-be robber, but unfortunately his horse and carriage were damaged, although the passengers escaped unharmed.

P.c. Hassan Alami-Merrouni won an award for putting his own life at risk to stop a runaway horse and carriage in St. George's on August 17.

P.c. Alami-Merrouni put a Police car in the path of the horse, causing the animal's feet to crashed through the windscreen, although its injuries were slight.

The Governor said: "These were outstanding acts of bravery whether in the course of duty or members of the public who found themselves in a situation and rather than reacting hastily, acted thoughtfully and bravely.'' And he urged members of the public to nominate other acts of bravery for awards next year.

People with nominations should contact award organiser Mark Selley.