Canada Customs cops save trucker from burning rig

FORT ERIE, Ont.– A North-York, Ont. trucker is in serious condition in hospital in Buffalo and a pair of Canadian customs officers are being hailed as heroes after they pulled him from his burning vehicle, saving his life.

The tractor-trailer, which was loaded with carrots, was approaching the Canadian side of the Peace Bridge between Fort Erie, Ont., with Buffalo, N.Y. at around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The 55-year-old driver flipped while taking a turn and the truck burst into flames, with the driver inside.

Canadian Customs officials Terry MacArthur and Derick Weston battled the flames and pulled the driver from the burning wreckage.

“Once we got a grip on him, we got him out of the window and slid him across the pavement,” MacArthur told CTV News.

The driver was rushed to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, with life-threatening injuries. His identity has not been released.

The two border guards were treated for smoke inhalation. John Eldridge, a supervisor with Canadian Border Services Agency, praised both of the men for their efforts.

Canadian and American firefighters fought the blaze for nearly 30 minutes.

— from CTV News