Travis was one of eight who were awarded a Pride of Australia Medal at a ceremony held at the Royal Automotive Club in Circular Quay. 

The News Corporation Australia event was hosted by TV personality Sandra Sully.

Travis said he had no idea Phillip and nine-year-old Rawson were going to be there.

“Sandra Sully really surprised me when she said ‘actually, they are here to thank you personally’,” Travis said.

“It was really nice to meet them in person and see how well they look.

“The last time I saw them Bill was pretty messed up and they were being loaded into a helicopter.”

Travis, his wife and four children were travelling behind the father and son when their car veered off the road and hit a tree, landing on it’s roof and catching on fire.

Travis and another passing motorist got Rawson out of the car and away from the wreck before Travis went back for Bill. 

“He told me he was ok and to just leave him, but I had to get firm with him and tell him I was pulling him out because the car was catching alight,” Travis said.

“Poor Bill had 10 broken ribs, a broken arm and shoulder,” Travis said.

“Rawson had some minor internal injuries from the seat belt, a couple of little cuts, whiplash and of course he was in shock. They kept him in hospital on spinal watch for a couple of weeks, but Bill was out in a few days.

Travis said he has kept in touch with the Phillips’ to check on their progress after the accident.

“It was a very emotional meeting for us all, Rawson especially,” he said. 

“They are very grateful and couldn’t say thank you enough.

“We are just fortunate it went the way it did, it could have been a completely different outcome.

“Neither of them have much memory of the accident. Rawson was asleep at the time.”

Travis said he would love to meet the paramedics who were on the scene again.

“Watching those guys is amazing,” he said.

“Being in the middle of it all, everyone – from the people who pulled up to the professionals – were all so calm and just got on with it.”