Highways Heroes Shortlisted in Focus | Luke Wagner - Anglian Plant

Heroes award spotlight on shortlisted individuals - Luke Wagner of Anglian Plant.

With just over two months to go until this year's Highways Heroes awards we showcase some of the individuals who the judges have shortlisted for the prestigious awards at this year's event.

Luke Wagner helped a man after his car skidded off an icy road and plunged into a freezing river. Luke Wagner, 26, was driving his lorry in Cambridgeshire at around 8am on Wednesday (January 10) when the astonishing incident happened. The heavy goods operative witnessed a car skid out of control in March Cambridgeshire when he saw something that made him slam on the brakes. Luke said: "I was driving along when I saw a silver car approaching from the opposite side of the road before it suddenly jolted and swerved in front of me, hitting the bank and flying into the river ,Luke, who works for the Norfolk based Anglian Plant, was the first to stop on the scene. the driver popped out of the water and I shouted to him to ask if anyone else was inside. He was in a daze but eventually said no and Luke asked if he could swim to which he said yes. He climbed down the bank anyway and reached out to him." Luke and several others who had arrived later managed to get the motorist to safety.

"I was driving along when I saw a silver car approaching from the opposite side of the road before it suddenly jolted and swerved in front of me, hitting the bank and flying into the river," Luke said. "With the roads so icy it was obvious it had hit a patch of black ice and my heart stopped.

"So I brought the truck to a stop as quickly as I could and rushed out to the bank where the car was rapidly sinking. But before I could jump in, the driver popped out of the water and I shouted to him to ask if anyone else was inside.

"He was in a daze but eventually said no and I asked if he could swim to which he said yes. I climbed down the bank anyway and reached out to him."

At this point, several others had turned up at the scene and gathered to help, with one providing a rope to throw down to the man. Luke added: "The water was so cold and we all risked getting hypothermia if we went in. Fortunately we all managed to heave him out and by this time his car had sunk completely beneath the water.

"We later found out that his window had smashed when the car impacted the water and I think he was incredibly lucky that happened otherwise he would've had a much harder time getting out."

Taking place at the London Hilton, Park Lane on 28th November,the event will not only recognise those who have gone above and beyond their duty, but also those that have helped someone or improved a situation, either in the communities they work in or to unconditionally support fellow workers in their team, with Will a special guest at the event where the achievements of our unsung heroes will be recognised.

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