An AO delivery driver has been recognised for his bravery after helping rescue a family trapped inside an overturned car following a serious motorway collision on the M1 near Bedford.
Ken Wheatley, 60, from Crewe, was driving southbound on the motorway in the early hours of the morning when he witnessed a car flip onto its roof following a collision with another vehicle.
The grandfather-of-four, who has worked for Bolton-headquartered AO since 2022, immediately stopped to help alongside three other HGV drivers.
Recalling the incident, Ken said: “It was about four in the morning and I was driving along, when I saw a black car come tearing down past me on the outside lane.
“It must have just clipped the other car containing this family– it was completely upside down with all the lights off. If another vehicle were to have hit them at 50-60mph there could have been fatalities.
“But if there’s one thing about HGV drivers, it’s if we can help – we will help.”
Working together, the drivers positioned their lorries to block the motorway and protect the crash scene from oncoming traffic before checking on those involved.
Ken and the other drivers then approached the overturned vehicle to help the occupants trapped inside.
Ken added: “Traffic had piled up for miles behind us; we had no idea how long the emergency services would take.
“So, we made the decision to just get them out, because if my kids or grandkids were in there, I’d want someone to do the same.”
After smashing a window, the group managed to pull the father from the wreckage.
“We managed to smash the window and pull the dad out but didn’t realise there were others in the car until we heard the little girl crying,” Ken said.
Ken climbed onto the overturned vehicle and, with help from another driver, worked to free the rest of the family. Using a crowbar from his lorry, he was eventually able to prise open a door and safely rescue the remaining occupants.
The drivers also recovered the family’s suitcases before inviting them into the cab of Ken’s AO lorry to stay warm and safe while waiting for emergency services to arrive. Thankfully, none of those involved suffered serious injuries.
Ken added: “As you can imagine, the little girl just wanted her mum.
“But she was crying until she spotted my Mini Cheddars and a Twix bar! So, I let her have those to keep her happy.”
Before leaving the scene, the father asked to personally thank “the man with the smiley face on his back” — a reference to the AO logo — for helping save his family.
Despite being praised for his actions, Ken was quick to recognise the other HGV drivers who stopped to help throughout the incident. Once the family was safely in the hands of the emergency services, he continued and completed his delivery shift as planned.
The incident reflects AO’s belief in being “magic in the moments that matter”, with colleagues regularly going above and beyond to support customers, communities and each other.
Lynne Wood, Director of Service Delivery at AO, said: “We always speak about being magic in the moments that matter and Kenny’s heroic actions are a perfect example of this.
“Along with the other HGV drivers at the scene, Kenny’s quick-thinking in blocking the motorway until emergency help could arrive has potentially saved this family’s lives.
“And after stepping up to be a hero, he even stayed late to successfully complete his delivery run! We’re extremely proud of him.”
In recognition of his actions, Ken was named AO Employee of the Month and received a bottle of champagne, a gift voucher, a trophy keepsake, an extra day’s holiday and a private parking space for a month.