Albany trucker comes to the aid of fellow truck driver during medical emergency

ALBANY – April Thomas doesn’t feel like a hero, but her quick action when a CPC Logistics co-worker recently was having a health crisis may have saved his life and has been recognized by her company.

Thomas, who is a semi truck driver for CPC, was picking up a load at the Albany Procter & Gamble plant in January when she noticed that something did not seem right with a fellow company driver.

“I noticed he just wasn’t himself,” Thomas said. “He was back with his truck parked (in an area) where we normally don’t park the trailers. I could tell something was going on with my co-worker. When I got back around there, I got the keys out of the truck so he couldn’t go anywhere.”

Thomas called her supervisor and then dialed 911 to summon Dougherty County Emergency Medical Services. The other driver refused to go to the hospital, but his wife arrived on the scene and convinced him he needed to do so.

“This was a life-threatening (situation),” Thomas said. “When they told me they were recognizing me for saving somebody’s life, I knew it was life-threatening.”

The driver, who has been piloting a big rig since 2008, said she could not just pick up her load and be on her way when she felt that her fellow worker could be in distress.

After the incident, company President John Bickel Jr. presented Thomas with a trophy with her daughter, Journee, 8, at her side.

“I’m old-school,” she said. “I couldn’t just leave. I was just doing a good deed. That’s how I was brought up. That’s how I feel like in my godly journey … how I treat people. Treat people with kindness.

“My mom and my grandmother instilled it in me, and I want to instill it in her (Journee).”

Thomas said she is looking forward to meeting with the wife of her fellow driver, who was not identified by the company,

“She’s ready to meet me so we can physically hug each other,” Thomas said. “We’re going to cry. I know I’m going to cry.”

CPC Regional Manager Greg Boyington said that Thomas’ actions that day were an example of the company’s core values: Do what’s right, respect others and perform with excellence.

“April’s actions are a reminder that we all have a choice to help someone daily, no matter how big or small the challenge is,” Boyington said. “April has a passion for being a beacon of light in a world that’s filled with bad news or strife that we all read or hear about daily. We are all very lucky and proud to have April as part of the CPC team in Albany.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]