A Penarth man who saved a couple from drowning was among the winners at this year's St David Awards.
Justin Biggs came to the rescue of the pair when their car was submerged upside down in the water near Cardiff Bay Yacht Club.
His heroics were personally recognised by First Minister, Eluned Morgan, at the Senedd ceremony on Thursday night.
Judges said two "very lucky" people are still alive today because "of the selfless action taken by Justin at the risk of his own life".
Justin was paddling his surf ski around Cardiff Bay when he came across a car upside down in the water near the local yacht club.
When he was told that someone was in the car, he entered the water to try and gain entry to the vehicle.
Knee deep in mud and chest deep in water, Justin struggled to open the car and only gained access to the rear passenger door, where he saw the head of an unconscious person face down and heard a second person actively drowning.
After rolilng the front seat backward enough to make space to enter underwater into the car, he pulled out a lady who had been trapped in the drivers seat and struggling to stay above water.
Justin held her above the water whilst heading back into the car to pull her husband out.
Unable to let go of the couple for long and facing a 200m wade through mud and water, he carried out what little CPR he could. After several rounds of chest compressions and coaching the wife to carry out rescue breaths, the husband opened his eyes.
Members of the Cardiff Bay Yacht Club arrived to help move the couple to the shore where firefighters, ambulance and police were waiting to assist.
The other nominees for the Bravery award were eight players from Rhydyfelin RFC who helped people to safety from a fatal fire on an industrial estate in Treforest - and PC Rhodri Jones of Dyfed Powys Police, who saved a woman and her dog from a cliff face.
The Llanberis mountain rescue team was also commended by judges for their bravery, saying it was crucial for mountain safety.
The awards, now in their 12th year, recognise individual achievements from across Wales.
Professor Jean White, chair of the awards' advisory panel, added: "Being part of the judging process is sometimes emotional when you hear stories of bravery and people overcoming adversity to succeed. It makes me feel very proud to be Welsh.”
Among the other winners, two-time world track cycling champion Emma Finucane won the sports award and the independent production company Bad Wolf won the business prize.
All winners received a St David Awards trophy designed and made by leading ceramic artist Daniel Boyle from Ceredigion.
2025 St David Awards winners
- Young Person – Dylan Buller, youth worker
- Bravery – Justin Biggs, Penarth
- Business – Bad Wolf Ltd
- Community Champion – Paul Bromwell, veterans support
- Culture – David Hurn, photographer
- Environment Champion – Peter Stanley, environmentalist
- Innovation, Science & Technology - Immunoserv
- Public Services – Patrick Watts, paediatric ophthalmologist
- Sport – Emma Finucane MBE, Olympian
- Volunteering – Llanberis Mountain Rescue
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