Summerland Express Freight driver Deane Rodgers has been presented with the Castrol Truck Driver Hero Award for his quick-thinking actions during a massive truck fire.
Rodgers noticed his load of milk powder had caught fire when he was travelling along State Highway 1 in South Canterbury on February 1 last year.
He saw the smoke billowing in his rear-view mirror and knew decisive action was needed.
He avoided pulling over immediately as it was a windy day with paddocks of wheat crops and tinder-dry grass close to the edge of the road.
Instead, he continued driving another five kilometres to the Makikihi Country Hotel in order to reach the big open truck parking area.
Rodgers says he was “petrified” but still managed to call emergency services and have them waiting as he arrived.
His actions meant no one was harmed and he prevented any further damage to property. This was recognised at the Road Transport Association AGM in Cromwell last Friday where he was presented with the industry award.
The Castrol Truck Driver Hero Award was established three years ago by the NZ Road Transport Forum and NZ Truck & Driver magazine to highlight drivers who go above and beyond the call of duty on the road.
Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett says it’s really important the industry recognises drivers like Rodgers who displayed “a lot of bravery and smart thinking”.
“In what was a very stressful situation, Deane put the safety of other people and road users before his own safety.”
Leggett says it shows the high level of skill among many of the industry’s professional drivers who are out on the road each day.
“It’s these kinds of skills we should be celebrating,” he says.
