Trucker Mel Saves 4-wheeler’s Life; Gets Nod as Highway Hero

SHELBURNE, ON —  Driver Melville Farnell of this community’s Tupling Farms Produce Inc. is one of only four finalists from across the continent in Goodyear’s  29th annual North American Highway Hero Contest.

“The Highway Hero Award,” says Phillip Kane, vice president, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems, “recognizes professional truck drivers who put their lives on the line to help others.

“Each of our Highway Hero finalists rescued strangers who were in life-threatening peril, and each is a worthy candidate for the award.”

In Farnell’s case, he was making a delivery on May 13, 2011, when a car  travelling in the opposite direction veered into his path and slammed into Farnell head-on.

The impact caused Farnell’s tractor-trailer to jack knife. Diesel fuel began leaking onto the highway. Though shaken, Farnell approached the car, which had come to a stop in a ditch, and observed a semi-conscious male in the driver’s seat.

Farnell, who weighs but 165 lbs., broke the driver’s side window and pulled the much heavier motorist to safety. Minutes later, the car exploded.

Farnell was credited with saving the motorist’s life by acting swiftly and putting his own life in danger just before the explosion.

The other finalists include an Ohio truck driver who positioned himself between a woman and a gun-wielding attacker; a Minnesota driver who came to the aid of an elderly couple that had been trapped in a car during a raging snowstorm; and an Ohio driver who rescued a trapped motorist whose car had plunged into a pond.

Trucking industry journalists are now voting on this year’s Highway Hero finalists, who will be featured March 22 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY, at the Truck Writers of North America annual banquet.

 The winner will receive a specially designed ring, a plaque and a cash award. Each of the other finalists will receive a plaque and a cash award.


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