Driver praised for protecting pensioner riding mobility scooter down busy A38
Police have praised a truck driver for protecting a pensioner who was seen riding her mobility scooter down one of the busiest roads in the West Midlands.
The woman was travelling on the A38 (M) Aston Expressway on Thursday (November 28) at about 3.45pm. Birmingham's Aston Expressway is a seven lane motorway about two miles (3.2km) long with no central reservation.
Pictures and videos of the incident have since been shared online, with one clip - which mistook the road for the M6 - gaining more than 195,000 likes on the TikTok account @jodie.leeh.
In the clip, a man driving a recovery truck was seen following closely behind, using his hazard lights to alert other motorists.
Police told the BBC that National Highways activated go slow signs and officers successfully escorted the woman off the motorway.
The responders also talked to her about driving her scooter safely and checked on her wellbeing, they added.
But police gave a special thanks to the actions of the quick-thinking truck driver.
"We’d especially like to thank the driver of a recovery truck who used his vehicle to shield the woman and warn others of the danger," a spokesperson said.
The driver's wife, Eileen Tracey-Fletcher, also said on Facebook: "Apologies to anyone held up on inbound Aston Expressway this afternoon from 4 o'clock by a recovery truck with its beacons flashing.
"That would have been my lovely husband escorting an old dear on a mobility scooter from Erdington to Pump Island, where the police took over."
She added the woman made a rude gesture when he tried to direct her off at Aston.
Social media users have also praised the drivers actions. One user said: "I like the truck driver behind her with his hazards on protecting her," while another added: "The lorry behind with the hazards on. Such a nice driver. Making sure she ok." A third commented: "Well done fletch!"
