A Florida triucker has been honored for his actions when Hurricane Milton crashed across the state.
The Truckload Carriers Association recently named truck driver George Maxwell, from Tampa, Florida, a TCA Highway Angel for rescuing a stranded couple when flood waters were enveloping their home in the middle of a hurricane. Maxwell works for TransAm Trucking, Inc out of Olathe, Kansas
TCA explains:
George MaxwellOn Oct. 10, around 3 a.m. in Plant City, Florida, Maxwell demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness during a life-threatening hurricane.
As the storm approached, he made his way to a truck parking lot where his semi-truck was parked. He drove his personal pickup truck through the worsening conditions to move his semi-truck to higher ground before the rising floodwaters could cause any damage. But Maxwell’s journey would soon take an unexpected turn.
“I’m in the truck,” Maxwell said. “I’m watching the water come up higher and it’s getting bad.”
As the water levels began to surge, Maxwell quickly realized he had no time to save his personal vehicle. Without hesitation, he abandoned his pickup and focused on getting his semi-truck to safety. While he was preparing to leave, Maxwell noticed something alarming — the owners of the truck parking lot were trapped in their nearby home, surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.
“They said they thought they were safe there but it’s not safe,” he said, noting the water was chest-deep by this point. “The rain was pouring nonstop and the wind was blowing like 100 miles per hour.”
Wading through the dangerous waters, he made his way to the house, where the couple was fighting to stay safe. Maxwell led them back to his semi-truck, providing shelter and transportation in a desperate moment. He drove them to higher ground, ensuring their safety. Thanks to Maxwell’s quick thinking and fearless actions, the couple was saved from what could have been a catastrophic situation. Maxwell’s personal vehicle was not so lucky.
“It’s totally gone,” he said regarding his pickup truck, which was ruined in the flood. Looking back, he said he did the right thing by taking the couple, his semi-truck and himself away from the flood waters.
“I would do it again,” he said. “I just did what I’d hope anyone would do for me.”
Since the TCA Highway Angel program’s inception in August 1997, nearly 1,400 professional truck drivers have been recognized as TCA Highway Angels for exemplary kindness, courtesy, and courage displayed while on the job. Thanks to the program’s presenting sponsor, EpicVue, and supporting sponsors, DriverFacts and Northland Insurance, TCA is able to showcase outstanding drivers like Maxwell.
George Maxwell
