Waitārere Beach incident: Ben Timmins’ sister praises police officer’s bravery

After hearing of Cramp’s heroism, Timmins’ sister Rachel O’Grady told the Herald she had nothing but praise for him.

Rachel O’Grady at the Waitārere Beach Rd property after viewing her brother’s body. Photo / Mike Scott

“Thank God someone did something,” O’Grady said.

“He [Cramp] gave the same treatment he would have given anyone.

“I know how hard you tried. I know it didn’t change the outcome, and I’m so sorry that it didn’t.”

She said she was “ashamed and sorry” the officer had to respond in the first place.

“He’s just a young fella, has his whole career ahead of him. No one should have to see what he saw.”

Police guarding the Waitārere Beach property at the time of the incident. Photo / Mark Mitchell

As Cramp carried out his armed search of the home, he came across “multiple pools of blood and spent shell casings”.

In one bedroom, he found a 22-year-old man on a bed covered in blood.

A woman was found in another room with a fractured skull and significant intracranial injuries, while a 17-year-old boy was found with gunshot wounds in a third bedroom.

Drawing on his military experience in battlefield trauma management, Cramp began treating the injured.

One of the men had been shot in the face, a near-fatal injury that limited potential first aid options.

The other had gunshot wounds to his chest, arm and abdomen, and Cramp made chest seals using plastic bandage packaging.

The Police Association said the man had broken ribs, lung lacerations and significant trauma to his spleen and kidneys.

It said Cramp’s actions were “directly instrumental” in preventing the deaths of the three survivors.

O’Grady said despite Cramp’s military experience, the last thing he would have expected was to “walk into a war scene”.

“I’m sorry you had to bear the weight of that, and I hope you know that no one who loves Ben doubts for a moment that everything possible was done. Thank you.”

Constable David Cramp (standing at right) receives the 2026 Police Bravery Award for his actions after a triple shooting at Waitārere Beach in January this year. Photo / Grace Symmans

She also acknowledged the incident would have been “traumatic” for Timmins’ wife, her two sons and the couple’s 9-year-old daughter.

“I’m thankful my niece had someone to comfort her.

“I really truly care for those kids [the young men] too. I’m glad everyone is on the mend.

“What he [Cramp] did for them matters just as much, and I’m so grateful for it.”

Rachel O’Grady (right) and other family members held a karakia at the property after the triple shooting. Photo / Mike Scott

O’Grady said her brother was missed every day.

“You gave my brother dignity and effort when he needed it most, and you gave my family something to hold on to, which is knowing that he wasn’t alone and that people tried.”

Cramp said last week he appreciated the recognition and the award.

“The question wasn’t whether I was going to go in, but who would follow me,” he said.

His advice for other cops was to “train for the day that you hope never comes”.