An Ocado van driver who helped to rescue casualties from four separate collisions has been named as the winner of the FTA’s 2018 Van Excellence Hero of the Year Award.
John Barter, whose heroic actions include pulling an injured driver out of her car after her petrol tank burst during a multi-vehicle crash on the motorway, was presented with the award by Mark Cartwright, head of vans and light commercial vehicles at the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which administers the Van Excellence scheme at the annual Van Excellence Honours.
Cartwright commented: “I have the utmost respect for John Barter. He showed great leadership, calm and bravery in the face of crisis; his actions significantly aided the victims’ recoveries. Heroes come in unexpected places; van drivers should not be underestimated.”
John Barter added: “It was a great privilege to be able to help these individuals when they needed it most. I love van driving and the fact that my first aid training and road experience means I can help people in need is a great satisfaction to me. I would like to thank the team at Ocado for their ongoing support, and I am so honoured my colleagues nominated me for this award.”
The Hero of the Year award was one of the titles presented at this year’s Van Excellence Honours, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Birmingham.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Helping the Community, sponsored by Quartix
- Winner: Cadent Gas
- Highly commended: Reflex Vehicle Hire
Keeping Your Show on the Road, sponsored by AA
- Winner: James Hall Couriers
- Highly commended: McGinley Support Services
Making a Difference, sponsored by Lex Autolease
- Winner: Scottish Water
Putting Drivers First, sponsored by Brigade Electronics
- Winner: Scottish Water
- Highly commended: McGinley Support Services
Using Technology for Good, sponsored by Hertz UK
- Winner: The Clancy Group
- Highly commended: McGinley Support Services
Winning at Wellbeing, sponsored by Bott Ltd
- Winner: Amey
Hero of the Year, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Vans
- Winner: John Barter – Ocado
- Highly Commended: David Sturmey – Qi Van Systems
- Highly Commended: Peter Williams – James Hall Couriers
Van Excellence Champion
- Winner: Graham Davies – Electricity North West
