Award for kiss-of-life truckie

By ALEXIS GRANT

Tokoroa truckie Greg Pearce saved a man's life twice with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, then used his truck to clear a landing space for the rescue helicopter.

On Wednesday, the 28-year-old was recognised by Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven, who presented him with the 2004 Beaurepaires Highway Hero award and a $5000 cheque.

"[I'm] overwhelmed," Mr Pearce said. "I'm speechless at the moment."

Mr Pearce, a logging truck driver at the time of the rescue, was driving along State Highway 30 near Mangakino on December 30 when he came upon a car that had crashed into a bank. While two front-seat passengers survived with minor injuries, the man in the back seat suffered serious head injuries and had no pulse.

A volunteer fireman for 11 years, Mr Pearce gave the man mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Once the victim started breathing again, Mr Pearce returned to his truck to call an ambulance.

"I knew that I had a bit of experience in motor vehicle accidents, being in the Fire Service," he said. "I decided to stop and give a hand wherever I could." Dozens of cars passed the scene without stopping while he worked on the patient.

When he returned to the victim, the man's pulse had again disappeared, so Mr Pearce again gave him mouth-to-mouth. He then called a rescue helicopter. But there was no place at the scene where the helicopter could land, so Mr Pearce used the crane on his truck to clear enough bush to create a landing pad.

"This was definitely quite a remarkable story for a most modest fellow," Mr Duynhoven said.

The victim eventually recovered and later contacted Mr Pearce to thank him for saving his life, Mr Pearce said.

"He was really, really stoked. He couldn't give me enough thanks."

That victim was not present at the ceremony on Wednesday because he wished to remain anonymous, Mr Pearce said.

Now a diesel mechanic, Mr Pearce said he continued to volunteer with his local fire department, but had not used his life-saving skills since last year. He planned to spend his award money on a house deposit.

The Beaurepaires Highway Heroes award recognises humanitarian deeds performed by professional truck, bus and coach drivers. It is supported by Beaurepaires, NZ Police, Land Transport Safety Authority, and NZ Trucking magazine.