Drivers get first new bravery awards
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• Two lorry drivers who risked their lives to prevent "a major motorway disaster" on MI are the first-ever recipients of a new-style bravery award for members of the public who help police and community.
Mr. Edward Varey, 31, of Ronsey Road, Dagenham, and Mr. Peter Kemp, 40, of Kilburn, Derby, were driving in opposite directions near Bletchley, when the driver of a third lorry fell out of his cab. Mr. Varey stopped his own vehicle and dashed across the motorway to drag the driver clear of traffic. Mr. Kemp overtook the driverless lorry, parked on the hard shoulder, then ran alongside the lorry as it swerved from side to side at about 10 mph until he was able to get in and steer it to safety.
Unhappily the injured driver died—the wheels of his own vehicle had run over him.
But there could have been a major disaster—traffic was heavy—but for the two brave drivers, said a police spokesman.
Mr. Varey and Mr. Kemp were applauded when the "bravery citation"—the report of Mr. Thomas Hodgson, chief constable of Thames Valley Police Authority—was read to a meeting of the police committee. And they were presented with framed certificates.
Mr. Kemp, who drives for Deb Chemicals Ltd., Belper, Derbyshire, also received the Industrial Bravery Award sponsored by Protective Footwear Service Ltd. whose award committee is chaired by Lord Collison. Mr. Kemp was among a party of 10 to receive awards—and silver salvers—at a ceremony in the House of Commons.
• A record profit of £9m, before tax, was made by the Transport Development Group for the year ended December 31 1968, compared with £7,400.000 in 1967. Group profit after taxation was £3,813,000 (1967: E3,047,0001. And for 1969 "overall the outlook is favourable-.