Too often in the news we hear only about those few members of our industry who accidentally or willfully cause damage to themselves and those around them, so this week we shine a light on the rest of our industry by honoring two heroic truckers, both of whom acted quickly to save the lives of those around them. This is one of two stories this week dedicated to them.
Robert Tyler, a 30+ year veteran of the industry based out of Washington State, earned the certificate, patch, and pin of a TCA Highway Angel recently for his actions saving a man and preventing further injuries.
A vehicle had been blocking a lane of traffic on 172nd street in Arlington, Washington. When he pulled alongside the vehicle, Tyler noticed that the driver had collapsed over the console, was convulsing and struggling to breathe. Tyler climbed out of his truck and found that the vehicle was running, but that the driver’s foot was on the brake. Getting back in his truck, Tyler moved it directly in front of – but not touching – the other vehicle.
“All I could think was ‘this car is going to take off and slam into oncoming traffic if his foot slides off that brake,’” said Tyler. “So I placed my truck in front of his car without touching it, just enough so if it started moving, it could only go a few inches.”
Then, using a metal bar he pulled from his truck, Tyler broke in to a rear window of the vehicle and unlocked it, pulling the unconscious driver out. With the help of a nurse who had stopped to help, Tyler administered CPR until paramedics arrived.
Next Story: Driver Trainer, Trainee Rescue State Trooper
Source: overdrive
Image Source: prweb
Brian White says
Way to go Tyler! This industry, and this country, needs more patriots like you!
Nancy says
Another great example of truck drivers looking out for America. Kudos to the driver who helped the other driver in need of medical attention.
Ray says
That’s cool. We need more stories like this to make the news. Instead of taking the time to move his truck in the way I wonder why he didn’t just break the glass and kill the engine. A also wonder if the driver is okay.
Ray says
Hats off. This guy went above and beyond. Instead of moving his truck in the way I wonder why he didn’t break the glass and kill the engine. I also wonder how the driver is doing.
Joe says
It’s not easy to calculate the best move in an emergency situation, the important thing is to act, which he did. Probably 100 things went through his head in matter of seconds.
I am happy to see that there are still good people around. Many people these days will stand back, take video with their cell phones and do nothing to help.
Ray says
Sad, but true. I’m glad this guy did what he did.
Steve Bell says
Another gteat story..way to go!..
Karen Lee Levitsky-Thrash says
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU………….. Wish more people shared the positive and good stories about our men and women in our roads….
Deborah L says
It would be a hard decision as to what to do first and so lucky he was able to break out the window even. Kudos to this driver for his quick action. And I hope the guy made it through ok.