A quick-thinking lorry driver helped rescue a family-of-three after a crash by blocking the motorway.

Ken Wheatley saw a car flip on to its roof following a collision on the southbound carriageway of the M1, near Bedford, in the early hours of Sunday, March 29.

The grandfather-of-four, who works for electricals online retailer AO, 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.

Ken Wheatley blocked the M1 to stop oncoming traffic following an accident near Bedford (Main picture courtesy of AO)

placeholder image — Ken Wheatley blocked the M1 to stop oncoming traffic following an accident near Bedford (Main picture courtesy of AO)

“But if there’s one thing about HGV drivers, it’s if we can help – we will help.”

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

“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.

“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."

Needless to say, AO gave Ken employee of the month (Picture courtesy of AO )

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, he used a crowbar from his lorry to prize the door open. Together, they even managed to get the family’s suitcases. The 60-year-old driver then invited the family to sit in his lorry cab until paramedics arrived. Thankfully, none of them had suffered severe injuries.

“As you can imagine, the little girl just wanted her mum,” Ken said. “But she was crying until she spotted my Mini Cheddars and a Twix bar.”

Crediting the other drivers who supported him throughout the ordeal, Ken just went on to finish his shift as planned.

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.”

As you’d hope, AO gave Ken employee of the month. But that wasn’t all – he was also given champagne, a gift voucher, trophy keepsake, an extra day’s holiday and private parking spot for a month.