Garth Hayes came to the aid of a cyclist who fell on Sydney’s M2 motorway.
Truck driver Garth Hayes has been named this year’s Highway Guardian Award winner for bravery on the job.
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA), which runs the award, says Hayes came to the rescue of an injured cyclist on Sydney’s M2 motorway in 2015.
The Hanson truck driver was on an early morning shift when he saw the cyclist fall headfirst onto the motorway after colliding with another rider.
“He immediately stopped his truck and, armed only with a torch and hi-vis jacket, ran through the oncoming traffic to prevent the cyclist from being run over,” the ATA says.
”With the aid of the other cyclist, Garth moved the man from the roadway and put him into the recovery position until medical attention arrived.”
The ATA says Hayes then went back to work but was tracked down later after New South Wales Police put out a call “to find and recognise the heroic truckie”.
Presenting the award, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand managing director Andrew Moffatt says “Mr Hayes’ choice of action in that split second was outstanding.”
“He made the safety of the cyclist his absolute priority and took immediate steps to rescue him.
“It was still dark and would have been a very scary situation for all involved.
“We commend Mr Hayes on his brave and selfless act – he is certainly a very worthy candidate to receive the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award.”
Explaining the events of the day, Hayes says by the time he put on the hazard lights, other vehicles were swerving around the stricken cyclist.
“I ran straight out with my orange hi-vis vest and my torch into the traffic, waving the torch to get people to go around him,” Hayes says.
“It was a cool morning, and freezing with all the cars going past.
“His friend came out and helped me get him to the side of the road, where we put him in recovery and kept him warm.”
Once the medical attention arrived, Hayes says he went on his way.
“I got down the road and the adrenaline just wore off – I suddenly started worrying about what could have happened, and what that would do to my little girl,” he says.
“But it was just instinct to help, and he has children too – he got to go home to his family, that’s my reward.”
“Humbled” by the attention, Hayes says “there are others out there who have done much more, but just never got noticed.”
“I’m not a hero. The man was in trouble, I had to help.”
Chief inspector Phil Brooks from the NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Command applauded Hayes on his conduct, congratulating “him and his employer, Hanson Group, for their road safety focus in this event.”
ATA chair Noelene Watson expressed similar sentiment.
“Garth responded quickly and effectively to help a fellow road user, and was instrumental in making sure that this cyclist survived what could have been a truly devastating event,” Watson says.
“We are very proud to recognise his exceptional bravery and quick thinking by presenting Garth with the Bridgestone Bandag Highway Guardian award.”