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Published 12:40 IST, January 17th 2020

Australian PM attends firefighter's funeral

The wife of a firefighter who was killed in the New South Wales wildfires has received a bravery award on his behalf at his funeral on Friday.

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Australian PM attends firefighter's funeral
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The wife of a firefighter who was killed in the New South Wales wildfires has received a bravery award on his behalf at his funeral on Friday.

The expectant father, Samuel McPaul, 28, was killed when extreme winds flipped his truck on December 30.

New South Wales State Rural Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons paid tribute to the heroism of the fallen firefighter and to his family.

He said without the support and understanding of families they would "have no Rural Fire Service" and because of their sacrifice he will be "forever grateful."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was also in attendance at the Holbrook funeral.

At least 27 people were killed in the wildfires crisis that has destroyed more than 2,000 homes and scorched an area larger than the US state of Indiana since September.

Four of the casualties have been firefighters.

12:40 IST, January 17th 2020