The risky ambulance interview that put Kochie on the map
Footage has resurfaced of the moment David “Kochie” Koch cemented his role as the king of breakfast TV as he prepares to finish up his 21-year run on Sunrise.
The 67-year-old has hundreds of interviews under his belt, but it was a risky interview in the back of an ambulance that thrust him into the spotlight.
In April 2006, Kochie and his then co-host Melissa Doyle were stationed at Beaconsfield Tasmania to report on a collapsed mine that left one miner dead and seventeen trapped underground.
The Sunrise hosts were competing with several other news outlets at the scene of the tragedy, but Kochie managed to secure the scoop of the century after jumping into the back of an ambulance to interview injured miner Todd Russell.
The veteran TV presenter rushed through the security cordon and leapt into the vehicle after being invited by Russell, who coincidently was a big Sunrise fan.
“So, I got into the ambulance and that's when he gave me his miners tag, which is a moment, I got to say, a moment and a symbol I will cherish forever,” Koch later told the ABC.
“And I make no apologies for doing it.”
In 2017, Kochie reflected on the incident on Sunrise, describing his interview with Russell as “touch and go”.
“Todd says he wants that 'big, fun, son of a 'b', Koch, at the gate' when they come out in the ambulance,” he said. “It was one of the most memorable [interviews] because of that connection,” Kochie added.
On May 29, Kochie announced his departure from Sunrise on air, with plans to pursue his own businesses and spend more time with family.
Seven Network announced Koch’s replacement on June 5, which sees former Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington joining Natalie Barr behind the news desk.
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