Manmeet Bhullar's death stark reminder of highway dangers

Edmonton tow-truck driverRyan Lemont knows firsthand how quickly things can turn deadly on Alberta highways.

The untimely death of Manmeet Bhullar is a solemn reminder of inherent risks onthe road, Lemont says.

Bhullar, 35, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Calgary-Greenway, was killed Monday by an out-of-control semi-trailer after he pulled over to help a motorist who had lost control on the snowy highway.

"He was doing a Good Samaritan act, and he was doing almost exactly what we do. He was trying to help someone, and trying to pull someone out of the ditch," Lemont said."It's absolutely tragic."

Lemont, thefleet operations manager for the Alberta Motor Association in Edmonton, says tow-truck drivers put their lives on the line every day, responding to collisions and pulling wrecked vehicles from ditches.

"Any time you step out of your truck, you're putting yourself at risk;it's just one of those inherent things about the job."

The biggest dangers?When people drivetoo fast or don'tmoveto the other lane when tow trucks are on the side of the road.

Closecallsare all too common, Lemont said.

Lemont remembers jumpingover a guardrail on Calgary Trail to avoid being hit by an oncoming truck. Just last month a tow-truck driver in Calgary stepped out onto the shoulder of the highway when he was sideswiped by a passing vehicle.

"Lucky for us he wasn't seriously injured, but that hits kind of close to home when you hear about those kind of situations, and that danger is always there, no matter what."

As winter makesfor treacherous conditions on Alberta highways, Lemont hopesdrivers will remember to slow down and pay attention.

"We hear that message every year but it bears truth:Be safe to not only yourself as the driver, but anybody else that's out there working . . .we want to go home at the end of the day."