N.C. driver named TCA Highway Angel for second time

Marcus BeamMarcus Beam

Marcus Beam of East Bend, N.C. has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association for the second time in his professional driving career.

Beam, who drives for Epes Transport System of Greensboro, N.C., is being recognized for his quick action in saving a fellow driver from choking to death.

On the morning of Sept. 8, 2015, Beam was parked in line at the RJR Tobaccoville facility in North Carolina waiting for his turn to pick up a load. He noticed another driver to his right dropping and hooking to a trailer, then the driver started quickly walking towards Beam’s truck.

“I saw him coming towards me and his face was blue, and he was pointing to his throat,” Beam said.

He jumped out of his truck and began performing the Heimlich maneuver on the driver who was much taller than him. After lifting him up and hitting his back he was able to dislodge the piece of Brazilian nut that the driver had been eating.

“I was the only person out there at the dock, which is unusual, and I knew I had to do everything I could to help him,” Beam added.

The driver recovered and continues to thank Beam for helping him in his time of need.

In 2011, Beam won the Highway Angel of the Year award for pulling a woman and her two children from their vehicle after it had flipped down an embankment.

For his willingness to help, TCA has presented Beam with a certificate, patch, lapel pin and truck decal. Epes Transport Systems also received a certificate acknowledging that one of its drivers is a Highway Angel.

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