A quick-thinking lorry driver from Crewe helped rescue a family-of-three from their car after a crash on the motorway.

Ken Wheatley, 60, witnessed a car flip onto its roof following a crash on the southbound carriageway of the M1, near Bedford, in the early hours of the morning.

Along with three other HGV drivers, Kenny blocked the motorway to stop oncoming traffic and jumped out to check the wreckage.

The grandfather-of-four, who has worked for AO since 2022, told Nub News: "It was about 4am 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 to 60mph there could have been fatalities.

"But if there's one thing about HGV drivers, it's if we can help, we will help.

"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.

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Along with three other HGV drivers, Kenny Wheatley blocked the M1 to stop oncoming traffic and jumped out to check the wreckage (Photo: AO).

"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 then climbed on top of the car whilst attempting to get the rest of the family out with the help of another driver.

After some struggle, Ken used a crowbar from his lorry to prize the door open.

Together, the HGV drivers even managed to get the family's suitcases.

Ken then invited the family to sit in the cab of his lorry to stay safe and warm until paramedics came to check on them. None of the people involved suffered severe injuries.

The Crewe man said: "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."

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Alongside getting employee of the month at AO, Ken was awarded with champagne, a gift voucher, trophy keepsake, an extra day's holiday and private parking spot for a month.

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."

READ MORE: Crewe park upgrades progress across three town sites.

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