Bavaria honors boy for rescuing sister

Kenan Buyukhan, a 10-year-old boy from Nuremberg, was awarded Bavaria's St. Christopher Medal on Wednesday in a ceremony held in Munich. The award was presented Wednesday by Bavarian Premier Markus Söder.

Buyukhan received the award for saving his 2-year-old sister from a burning car. The boy said he smelled smoke as he and his sister were waiting in a car for their mother. He then got out of the car and saw smoke coming from the rear wheel.

The boy quickly unbuckled his sister from her car seat and got her away from the car before it was engulfed in flames.

'Role models for humanity'

At the Munich ceremony, Söder told those present: "Bavaria thanks its rescuers for their selfless acts. From schoolchildren to senior citizens, they are all role models of humanity and helpfulness."

Buyukhan was one of 43 people to be honored with the St. Christopher Medal at Wednesday's ceremony; a further 59 were awarded the Bavarian Rescuer's Medal.

The St. Christopher Medal for life-saving actions in difficult circumstances was first awarded in 1984. The Bavarian Rescuer's Medal, which honors those who risk their own lives to save others', was first awarded in 1952.

Kenan Buyukhan is the youngest person to ever receive the St. Christopher Medal.

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