By Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. — A volunteer firefighter pulled off a daring rescue when he chased down a runaway tractor-trailer and jumped inside to slam on the brakes, according to officials in eastern North Carolina.
It happened Friday on U.S. 70 in Craven County, as Russell Brock was working his day job as a truck driver for Coastal Regional Solid Waste Management Authority in New Bern.
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Witnesses report the out-of-control truck was “traveling erratically,” and it was Brock who realized the fellow trucker was having a medical crisis.
“Brock, who is also a volunteer firefighter with Jasper Township 9 Volunteer Fire Department, received information through firefighter communications that the driver of the tractor-trailer was reportedly unresponsive,” Coastal Environmental Partnership officials said in a Sept. 25 news release.
“As the incident continued, Brock ... moved his vehicle ahead of the tractor-trailer. When he came alongside the vehicle, he observed the driver slumped in the driver’s seat while the tractor-trailer remained in motion.”
Realizing swift action was critical, Brock stopped his truck further up the highway, jumped out, and ran toward the approaching truck, witnesses said.
“He climbed onto the tractor using the driver’s side mirror and attempted to communicate with the driver. The driver was responsive but appeared disoriented and indicated that he was unable to stop the vehicle,” company officials said.
“Brock was able to open the cab door, enter the tractor, turn off the ignition and engage the vehicle’s braking system, bringing the tractor-trailer to a stop.”
The identity of the driver and details of his condition have not been released.
Coastal Regional Solid Waste Management Authority says the ailing driver works for a company that is contracted by CRSWMA to deliver “solid waste from its transfer stations to the Tuscarora Landfill .”
“We are incredibly thankful this incident ended without a more serious outcome,” CRSWMA Executive Director Bobby Darden said in the news release.
“Russell encountered an unpredictable and dangerous situation and took action. ... We are proud of his willingness to act when help was needed, and we are equally grateful to the law enforcement officers and emergency responders whose efforts helped protect the traveling public throughout the incident.”
The Tuscarora Landfill is about a 100-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.
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