Latest Highway Guardian honoured

The heroic deeds of another quick-thinking truckie have been recognised, with Linfox driver Lewis Rowe named as the latest Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian at the recent ATA Technology and Maintenance Conference in Melbourne.

This perpetual award is handed down to courageous truck drivers who have gone 'above and beyond' in times of crisis while carrying out their work. The inaugural award was announced at Melbourne's International Truck Trailer & Equipment Show in 2014, and there have been many more in the years since.

Mr Rowe was added to the list after his actions on September 25 at the scene of an accident. After coming to a standstill due to a separate incident near Holbrook (NSW), another truck hit a car behind him and rolled, the wreck coming to a stop next to his B-double.

A fire quickly ensued, but Mr Rowe leapt from his cab and rushed to the aid of his fellow driver, suppressing the flames with his fire extinguisher and assisting the driver to escape through the truck's broken windscreen.

Mr Rowe was also commended for moving his truck out of harm's way after helping the other driver, ensuring the fire did not spread and become a multi-truck blaze, and for his assistance to police following the accident.

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"Lewis Rowe is a worthy recipient of the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian accolade," said ATA Chairman, Geoff Crouch.

"He was selfless in the way he came to a fellow driver's aid and without his intervention, it could have been a much more catastrophic outcome.

"We are constantly reminded with accidents like this how dangerous our roads are, but the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian also demonstrates how amazing individuals in our industry step up and go beyond the call of duty when faced with adversity and danger."

Mr Rowe's nomination for the award was accompanied by glowing endorsements from police officers who attended the scene; his manager, Dennis Spirovski; and President of Intermodal Linfox, Ian Strachan, who described him as an exemplary employee.

Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Stephen Roche, agreed that Mr Rowe should be acknowledged as a hero.

"The Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award recognises regular truck drivers who do extraordinary things, and Lewis Rowe certainly fits this bill," Mr Roche said.

"You can't imagine what it would be like to face an overturned truck, about to erupt into flames, but Mr Rowe encountered just that and put the needs of a fellow driver above his own.

"Actions like this deserve to be acknowledged and we take great pride in partnering with the Australian Trucking Association and highlighting those in the trucking community who go above and beyond in helping others."