A Driver First Assist (DFA) member has been praised by police for his fast thinking at the scene of a night time collision on the M6 last month.
Police arrived on the scene, between junction 10 and 10a, to find driver Nigel Abbott’s tractor unit in lane two of the motorway, shielding the three vehicles and the passengers involved in the collision from passing traffic.
Abbott’s actions - he drives for Mark Thompson Transport - are thought to have reduced the severity of the injuries received in the collision, as well as prevented the involvement of further vehicles.
PC Martin Smith of Central Motorway Police Group, who gave Abbott his DFA training, was on the scene at the accident.
He said: “I have to say that his vehicle positioning and casualty management were straight out of the manual. I also noticed that he was doing a brilliant job of managing a casualty with spinal injuries.
“Ensuring that no further damage is caused in these ways is a simple and essential part of accident management and Nigel is a brilliant example of what the Driver First Assist training can offer.”
Abbott said: “When the training at work was offered, I was one of the first to volunteer. I come across road accidents every day when driving for work, and know the impact they can have on all road users.
“While I hoped I’d never have to put what I’d learnt into action, I’m pleased that in this instance I was able to help and encourage anybody who spends a lot of time on the road to think about getting involved.”
DFA is a non-profit organisation, which trains drivers to effectively manage the scene of a road traffic collision before emergency services arrive on the scene, including emergency first aid training.
Year: 2023 | Body Type: Flatbed | Cab Type: Day | Mileage: 66,675 km | Weight: 26,000 kg | Category: Rigids
Year: 2018 | Body Type: Box | Cab Type: Day | Registration: YK18 EAM | Mileage: 176,990 km | Power: 213 bhp
Year: 2015 | Body Type: Tipper | Cab Type: Day | Registration: SH15 YNK | Category: Rigids
