A West Michigan tow truck driver is getting national recognition for his bravery.
On Saturday, Eagle Towing Operations Manager Andrew Heykoop received one of his industries highest honors for his quick response to a scary accident, six years ago.
“It was a cold, wintry day and there were a lot of accidents in that area,” Heykoop said.
Heykoop was working on US-31 in Muskegon, when a red Chevy truck passed by him, lost control and flipped several times.
The scary crash was recorded on his tow truck’s dash cam.
“They rolled over multiple times before they went off into the median and just hoped that once I got there, they were okay,” Heykoop recalled.
Without thinking twice, he ran to help.
Inside the truck were two infants and two adults, trapped inside.
“There were no other emergency vehicles there so I had to call them in and treat the individuals,” Heykoop explained.
He was able to get them out to safety.
“Towers, that’s what we do. We go to work, we do our job, we help people along the way and that’s what our job entails,” Heykoop said.
But Heykoop went above and beyond and this weekend was awarded the Towman Medal for bravery at the American Towman Expo in New Jersey.
“I was one of a few inductees nationwide to receive the award. I felt very humbled and honored,” Heykoop said.
But if you ask him, he was just doing his job.
“I personally felt i just did my job and that’s just what we are here to do,” Heykoop added.
