Southland Times Read an article about Les Read More.. Otago Daily Times Here's another great read about Les and his heroics Read More..

Invercargill driver wins Highway Hero award

Invercargill truck driver Les MacIntosh says he was just doing "what anyone else would do" when he saved a two-year-old girl from a burning car in south Otago.

Les' actions were deemed by judges the 'most heroic' of six 2011 nominees and he was awarded the supreme annual Beaurepaires Highway Hero award in Wellington today.

"Aw crikey! This is a bit of a shock!" Les said on being told he'd received the award. "It's something that you'd hope anyone would do in that situation. But to receive this award, it's just mind blowing."

In March, Les was travelling north towards Dunedin on State Highway 1. He saw a large fireball in the distance and, upon arriving at the scene of an accident involving a station wagon and truck, stopped and pulled young Abigail Coulter from the burning vehicle. Les held Abigail, who had a broken arm and some cuts, until ambulance services arrived.

Abigail's mother and sister, Phillipa Manning and Rebecca Coulter, passed away at the scene.

After initially wishing to remain anonymous, the Northern Southland Transport driver came to terms with the tragic event and was encouraged by colleagues to come forward and accept the nomination.

Today, NZ Police national roading manager Superintendent Paula Rose presented Les with the Beaurepaires Highway Heroes trophy, a cheque for $5000 and 5000 Fly Buys points.

Representatives from programme supporters Goodyear & Dunlop NZ Ltd, NZ Police, NZ Transport Authority and Fairfax NZ judged this year's award, which recognises acts of bravery, heroism or humanity performed by professional truck, bus and coach drivers in the course of their work.

"Commercial drivers are guardians of our roads and while they're often viewed negatively by other motorists, every year we hear many stories of their bravery and heroism," said Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres (NZ) national sales manager – commercial, Nigel Walsh. "It's a huge honour for Beaurepaires to be able to recognise the actions of Les and all the other Highway Hero nominees and winners."

This year's nominees were of a high calibre and included two drivers from Invercargill and one each from Ashburton, Feilding, Te Kauwhata and Tauranga.

The 2012 Beaurepaires Highway Heroes award is now open. Heroes can be nominated by anyone through any Beaurepaires store, local Police station or online, click here to fill in the entry form.

« Go Back to the Highway Heroes Main Page