There was another true highway hero honoured when the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian Award was bestowed upon Darell Wilson, recognising his swift action to avoid a major accident on the M5 motorway.
Suez employee Darell was praised by the trucking community and general public earlier this year for his actions to avoid a bus full of school children pulling out in-front of his truck on one of Sydney’s busiest arterial roads in June, and has been presented with the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award.
Darell intentionally turned his semi-trailer towards a concrete barrier and jack-knifed in order to wash off speed and avoid the bus as it pulled out into oncoming traffic.
The Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award recognises and honours the heroic actions of Kurrajong resident, Darell, for ensuring what could have been a fatal accident did not occur.
“Darell Wilson is a credit to Suez,” said Andrew Moffatt, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director. “His split second decision prevented a major accident from taking place. The Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award recognises those in the trucking industry who go above and beyond the call of duty, and to put his own life on the line to save those on the bus was an incredibly noble feat. Darell is a truly deserving recipient of the accolade.
“Many of the previous Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardians have been recognised for assistance at crash sites. Being able to prevent an accident occurring in the first place makes the term ‘Highway Guardian’ even more relevant.”
Darell was also recently recognised by industry body, the Waste Contractors & Recyclers Association NSW, by way of a Safety Award for the same reason.
“Truck drivers are under constant pressure on the road, but the last thing Darell Wilson would have expected was to see a bus pulling out in front of him,” said Geoff Crouch, ATA Chair. “Thankfully, due to his quick thinking and incredible vehicle control, Darell prevented an accident occurring, demonstrated the importance and benefit of proper driver training and highlighted how crucial it is to remain vigilant on the roads.”
The Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian Award honours the great community service performed by professional truck drivers who go above and beyond the call of duty to assist those around them during the course of their work.