Tales of bravery

These kinds of scenes are on TV, in photos and on the Internet all the time.

A tragedy happens — a car crash, an explosion, someone gets injured — and everyone around looks on in horror, confusion and hesitation. No one acts.

“How could no one do something?� people often ask.

Well, Thursday morning, the better half to those situations was recognized. The people who did do something when chance and circumstances called on them to act.

At a Tustin breakfast hosted by the Orange County Red Cross filled with the county’s bravest, policemen and firefighters, three Newport Beach men, just everyday folks, were among 42 recognized for their heroics in 2008.

Robert Olvera, 34, is a backdrop painter at Disneyland.

One night in early July, Olvera was headed to work his graveyard shift when a truck on the 57 Freeway onramp steered into the side and flipped onto its roof, leaking fuel on the driver and trapping his leg in the mangled truck cab.

Olvera immediately pulled over and, despite knowing he’d drench himself in diesel fuel and likely hurt himself in the process, pulled the driver out of the truck to safety.

“I’ve never lost any sleep over that — I just did what I had to do. It felt natural that night,� Olvera said. “I don’t quite feel like a hero, but I do feel good about what I did because I made the right decision.�

Olvera’s efforts earned him a Bravo for Bravery award from the American Red Cross.

Of 42 people nominated by various Orange County cities, only 17 people were ultimately awarded medals.

The remainder received accolades for their efforts as well.

Newport Beach’s John Balch was among those who didn’t earn a medal, but still earned the respect of his peers and family.

In December, Balch drove by a house that had just caught on fire and responded before anyone else had, or had even called 911.

Firefighters credit his quick action to alert neighbors and grabbing a nearby garden hose and suppressing the flames with saving the home.

“It was humbling,� Balch, who took his two daughters to the breakfast with him, said. “I was among men in uniform who perform their duties and go out there and do something special. It made you feel special, and made my daughters proud of their father.�

A third Newport Beach man, Fernando Gutierrez, was also awarded for his life-saving efforts in January 2008.

Gutierrez was working at the Landmark Steakhouse Restaurant when he saw a woman choking. When her friend across the table screamed for help, Gutierrez answered the call and performed the Heimlich maneuver, clearing her airway and saving her life.