- This award wouldn't be needed in the best of worlds, it should be obvious to interfere. But we are honoured, they say.

Yesterday they received the awards from Michael Fetz, Chief Constable in Södertälje.

"One should do something."

- One isn't legally obligated to interfere but one should do something, at the very least call 911. I am proud to honour these guys, says Fetz.

The six friends were on the way home from the pub during the Friday night the 5th of September. Then they heard a woman scream hysterically. At a pedestrian tunnel they saw a gang of over 25 people kick and punch a motionless girl.

- They lifted up her head and kicked it, says Martin Eriksson.

Without discussing it, without thinking at all, the young adults threw themselves into the throng and tried to stop the assault. They tried to protect the victim with their bodies and tear away the assailants from the site.

”Smashed by cheekbone”

- We knew we didn't have a chance, that we would get beat up. But it felt like we didn't have any other choice, says Johan Vekas.

The guys were beaten bloody. The gang had sharpened brass knuckles as weapons. - First they smashes my cheekbone, then they crushed my nose. I could barely see, says Robin Isacsson.

Meanwhile, Martin Eriksson and Kim Tholander tried to resuscitate the 21 year old woman that laid bloody on the rubble pathway. - She was breathing but was unconcious. We tried to lift her up but it was  like she was pouring down between our arms, they said.

Undergone surgery multiple times

When the police arrived the group dispersed. The six guys from Gnesta were all bloody and beaten and had to seek medical attention.

Robin Isacsson has undergone surgery multiple times. The other guys have visible bruises and scrapes. Despite that they do not regret interfering.

Nobody had the time to get afraid

- Not at all. One didn't have a clue what would have happened otherwise, she could have died. If oneself happened in that situation you'd want others to do the same, says Claes Winterborg.

In the night when the incident took place, nobody had the time to get afraid. But afterwards they have had the time to think about it.

- One looks over his shoulders a bit, that's true, says Marcus Larsson. The police in Södertälje say they have given the six guys all the support they can give.

- There is a functional witness and victims protection program in Sweden and we are doing everything so that these guys can feel safe, says Michael Fetz.