We’re excited to announce that several of our colleagues have been shortlisted for The Highways Heroes’ Awards! This prestigious event, supported by National Highways and proudly sponsored by Octavius as a gold sponsor, recognises outstanding contributions in the industry.
The awards recognises the value and importance of those unsung heroes who work on the network everyday, whether it’s saving someone from danger or risk of injury, helping a member of the public to safety, or supporting a team member in the face of abuse. The Highways Heroes’ Awards recognise individuals who have coped admirably in the face of adversity or helped someone or improved a situation, either in the communities they work in or unconditionally supporting workers in their team.
Clive Hemmings, Regional Civil Engineering, Senior Site Agent
Clive Hemmings was nominated for his quick thinking and brave actions which helped to keep the roads safe for drivers when a car lost controlled and veered off the road during severe road flooding.
Clive was driving home on a rainy day from an onsite briefing from Whatlingston towards Marley Lane, a rural high-speed road without street lighting, which was severely flooded on the southbound side. Whilst he was slowly driving through the road he witnessed a car speeding on the northbound side, hitting the floodwaters and aquaplaning. The car lost control, veering off the road and coming to rest in a ditch at a 45-degree angle, with the passenger side submerged up to the window. He quickly parked his van safely on the northbound verge, turned the amber beacon lights on his van and put on his hi-vis jacket before approaching the scene to assess the danger. The flooding spanned both carriageways, making it difficult to see where the road ended, and the verge began. He immediately called 999 let them know that the driver was conscious and at the time was able to open the door of the car.
Whilst waiting for the police and the emergency services to arrive, Clive remained at the scene, helped to keep the casualty calm and warned passing vehicles to slow down as many were unaware of the danger and continued to drive through the flooded area at high speed.
Reece Kazi, Regional Civil Engineering, Groundworker
In November last year, Reece was working on our project at Southampton Central Station for Balfour Beatty Living Places, which included reconfiguring the main entrance to the station with new kerbing and slabs to improve the passenger experience at the gateway to the Ocean City. One cold morning when temperatures were close to freezing Reece arrived at the site compound early in the morning and was briefed as usual before he commenced his task for the day, which was to Cat Scan the next area to be excavated to check for underground services. As he arrived on site, he noticed a member of the public standing up against the wall to the pedestrian bridge over the railway lines just outside the site barriers. Reece noticed that the member of the public didn’t look very well but Reece kept an eye on him as he continued with his duties. About five minutes later Reece looked over at him again and realised that the man was laying on the floor and appeared to be shaking. Reece quickly went over to him to help and called the emergency services. Reece then contacted his Supervisor for assistance, and together they placed the member of the public in the recovery position, using spare site clothing to keep him warm while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
About 15 minutes later the ambulance arrived and Reece guided the crew to the casualty and through the barriers.
Keith Batcheldor, Electrical Engineer, VVB
Keith Batchelor, was nominated for going above and beyond to look after his colleague after they collapsed and were taken to hospital.
Keith’s colleague was observing works on site when other members of the team saw him lent against some railings. He then started to struggle for breath and collapsed. He was lowered to the ground and Keith Batchelor (VVB) called the emergency services. Keith’s colleague then suffered two seizures and the team member was attended to by paramedics and taken to hospital.
Keith went to the hospital and stayed with his team member for several hours and collected some of his belongings from the hotel that they were staying at and took them to the hospital. Since the work site was several hours from his colleague’s home, Keith decided to remain on site until the next day, as his colleague was due to be discharged from the hospital. Although the site was closed for the day and Keith could have gone home, he chose to stay to support his colleague. Keith also gathered his colleague’s belongings from the site, kept them safe, and later returned them once his colleague was back.
