Ontario Trucker Wins Bridgestone Truck Hero Award

Bridgestone Canada Inc. has named Jamie MacFarlane, a contract trucker from Cambridge, Ontario, its 2010 Bridgestone Truck Hero Award recipient. Bridgestone Canada names a Canadian Truck Hero annually to recognize professional truck drivers who demonstrate courage, quick thinking and integrity in the face of an emergency.

MacFarlane was recognized for his heroic actions during a train/truck accident on June 17 outside of Baden, Ontario. As Mr. MacFarlane was traveling behind a dump truck approaching a set of train tracks, the truck was struck by a passenger train.

After the impact, Mr. MacFarlane located his fire extinguisher and ran for the wreckage, concerned that the truck might go up in flames. He then broke part of the windshield to attempt to assist the badly injured driver, while using his cell phone to call for help.

Noticing the driver was still breathing, Mr. MacFarlane administered first aid and applied pressure to the driver’s wounds until emergency vehicles arrived. The emergency crews airlifted the injured driver to the hospital.

“Jamie embodies exactly what a truck hero is,” said Paul Dalcourt, national fleet account executive, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales division, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions.

“Canadian truck drivers encounter dangerous situations on the road every day,” he said during a presentation Nov. 19 at the Ontario Trucking Association’s national convention in Mississauga. “These men and women deserve to be honored for their bravery and selfless actions.”

MacFarlane, who drives for Top of the Hill Aggregates Inc. in Baden, received a $3,000 check and a specially commissioned crystal trophy. Bridgestone Canada also will make a $3,000 donation to a charity of Mr. MacFarlane’s choice.

The Bridgestone Canadian Truck Hero Award is selected by a panel of judges from among nominations submitted by the general public and Canadian trucking companies, which are required to include a police statement corroborating the nominated driver’s actions.

The award originated in 1956 as the Dayton Canadian Truck Hero Award. It is given annually to a full-time truck driver of Canadian citizenship who operates a truck with 14 wheels or more.