A trucker has been recognized for helping out another driver who was injured in a rollover accident caused by nasty weather.
The Truckload Carriers Association recently named ABF Freight driver Mark Binner a TCA Highway Angel for his courageous actions in rescuing an injured truck driver trapped inside an overturned tractor during severe storm conditions in southwestern Iowa.
TCA explains:
Mark BinnerOn the morning of June 11, Binner was traveling near McPaul, Iowa, when he encountered severe weather that included high winds, torrential rain and tornadic activity. As conditions rapidly deteriorated, he witnessed a tractor overturn in the storm.
“The wind was crazy, and the rain was super heavy,” said Binner. “I was following a couple of other trucks, and everybody started slowing down. One of the trucks ahead of me tipped over from the wind. I’d been through a rollover myself years ago, so I just wanted to pay it forward and help the guy out.”
Binner stopped, grabbed his medical kit and ran through the rain toward the overturned truck. When he reached the wrecked tractor, Binner found the driver trapped inside and struggling unsuccessfully to open the passenger-side door. Spotting that part of the windshield had peeled away from the cab, Binner, wearing work gloves, pulled on the damaged windshield in an effort to create an escape route. A powerful gust of wind suddenly caught the windshield, ripping it completely free from his hands.
“He was standing inside the cab because it was lying on its side,” Binner said. “I pulled the windshield out and helped him climb through the opening. Then we went back to my truck, where I got out my first aid kit and cleaned up some cuts from the shattered glass. We stayed there until the police arrived.”
The driver was covered in blood, so Binner immediately provided first aid, helping control the bleeding before escorting him through the storm to the safety of his ABF Freight tractor. Once inside the cab and out of the elements, Binner called 911 and remained with the driver until emergency responders arrived.
Reflecting on the incident, Binner downplayed his actions.
“It was a pretty simple deal,” he said. “I just went back, pulled him out and sat him in my truck for a little while. It wasn’t that big of a deal.
