KAMLOOPS, B.C. – B.C. truck driver Kevin Harris has been named this year’s recipient of the Bridgestone/Firestone Canadian Truck Hero Award for risking his life to provide comfort to a dying trucker.

Last August Harris was driving along Hwy. 5A between Merritt and Kamloops when the truck in front of him veered out of control and rolled into a ditch.

Harris had enjoyed a coffee with the trucker involved in the accident just moments before and quickly rushed to his aid.

However Peter Mills had suffered serious injuries and his arms and legs were pinned by the crushed cab.

Although fires were igniting around them, Harris stayed at Mills’ side and tried desperately to rescue him.

He also put a pillow behind Mills’ neck, wiped his face and held his hand making Mills as comfortable as possible under the circumstances.

Tragically, Mills died at the scene at which time Harris left the cab.

Moments later it was engulfed in flames.

“I thank God every day that man was there with him,” said Mills’s wife, Katrina.

“I’m so happy that he was there, and that Pete wasn’t there by himself.”

Following the accident, Mills’s father David told the Canadian Press that “To risk that truck going up in flames anytime, and he (Mr. Harris) stayed there. He really deserves some kind of commendation for this.”

The Valley Roadways driver received recognition in the form of the Bridgestone/Firestone Truck Hero Award which included a $3,000 cheque as well as a commemorative trophy.

Bridgestone/Firestone is also donating $3,000 to a memorial trust fund set up for Mills in his hometown of Lamont, Alta.

For more information on the award, visit www.truckhero.ca.