TORONTO, Ont. — Aggregate hauler Jamie MacFarlane was named the 2010 Bridgestone Canadian Truck Hero during an emotional presentation at this morning’s Ontario Trucking Association convention kick-off breakfast.

MacFarlane, a driver for Top of the Hill Aggregates, came across an accident June 17 when a passenger train plowed into a dump truck that was travelling ahead of him. MacFarlane jumped into action, tending to the dump truck driver’s injuries, calling for help and continuing to offer support until help arrived.

Sadly, the dump truck driver late succumbed to his injuries. However, the victim’s family was comforted to know their loved one was not alone during his final moments and they attended the presentation to personally thank MacFarlane. The late driver’s wife, Kim Douglas, was on-hand as well as other members of her family including her cousin Karen, who said “Kim and I were thrilled Jamie is receiving this award because he is a hero. Nobody likes to be called a hero, because it is usually borne of a difficult situation. But Jamie, you are a hero.”

She went on to say “A hero does what is needed in the moment. You could have said it was too difficult and stepped aside, but you sat by Rob’s side and talked to him until help arrived. For that, you are a hero.” Nobody should have to spend their final moments alone, she added. “We can only hope we don’t have to do it alone, we can only hope we have somebody at our side to hold our hand and tell us it’s going to be okay. If that person can’t be our spouse, parent or loved one, we can only hope a hero comes around and that hero for Rob was you, Jamie.”

Paul Dalcourt, national fleet account executive with Bridgestone’s US and Canada Commercial Tire Sales division presented the award, along with a $3,000 cheque and a trophy. Bridgestone also donated $3,000 to the deceased driver’s family at MacFarlane’s request.

For more info, see www.truckhero.ca.