ATA names latest Highway Guardian

When Lowes Transport tanker driver Michael Thompson came across a stricken car on the remote entry track to Cordillo Downs station on the Queensland/South Australian border, he feared the worst. 

Those fears were soon confirmed when he found a hand-scrawled note on the car’s steering wheel, indicating its owner had set off on foot to make the 30-kilometre trek to the station for help. 

Dire circumstances 

In searing 50-degree heat, Thompson followed the man’s tracks for 13 kilometres until he found Terrence Stewart, of Sydney, in dire straits and suffering from severe dehydration. 

Mr Thompson rang his wife via satellite phone so she could raise the alarm, while Mr Thompson focused on administering first aid to Mr Stewart. 

Mr Stewart was then transferred to Cordillo Downs by road before being transferred to hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, after which he later made a full recovery. 

Mr Stewart’s brush with death is all the more alarming when you consider that Mr Thompson shouldn’t have been on that particular road at all – a weather forecast saw him bring the delivery forward by a day and change his route at the last minute. 

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Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian 

For his actions, the Australian Trucking Association recently honoured Mr Thompson as the latest recipient of the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award, while Lowes Transport has praised its driver for his quick thinking action, along with his knowledge, skills and initiative. 

Mr Stewart said he has nothing but gratitude and admiration for his rescuer. 

“Michael saved my life, so it is a massive thank you,” he said. “He read my note left on the steering wheel, contacted Cordillo and advised them of the situation and drove towards Cordillo. He could not find me so he got out of his truck and started following my footprints till he found me. 

“He put everything together to give me what I am enjoying today and that is life. In my mind, he was determined to find me and do the best he could to save me, and I greatly appreciate all the things he has done. It is not just finding me, but he put all the bits in place to make sure I survived. I would like to think he is a family friend for life.” 

Highest transport honour 

The Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian is one of the highest honours a member of the transport industry can receive, with the accolade highlighting truck drivers who have gone above and beyond when faced with adversity. 
 
“Truck drivers operating in the outback and on remote routes are vital for stations to receive the goods and services they require to operate, but Michael Thompson highlights the critical role that our industry plays in looking out for others on the roads as well,” said ATA Chair, David Smith. 
 
“Terrence was subjected to some of Australia’s harshest conditions through no fault of his own, but had there not have been a fuel delivery scheduled that week, it could have been a very different outcome. 

“We’re fortunate to have people like Michael Thompson with the instincts to identify that something’s not right and who can apply the initiative to facilitate the assistance needed at that moment.”