2021 Hero of the Industry Award

Although the Covid-19 pandemic put the kibosh to the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) Annual Tow Show for 2021, the PTAO board did find two candidates most deserving of the Hero of the Industry Award.

In a statement released by Durham Towing, the company recognized two of its employees, Keian Jainarine and Karan Patel, for their response to an incident that took place on November 14, 2019. Jainarine and Patel managed to pull a tractor-trailer driver
(who was having a heart attack) from his truck. The operators called emergency response services and performed CPR on the driver in the meantime.

In describing the incident, their employer, Stephen Jainarine, explained that a driver had experienced a medical emergency, resulting in the transport truck that he was driving crashing into a guard rail on Highway 40. Since the tow operators were the first on scene, they immediately jumped into action, and by all accounts, saved the driver’s life. Both were nominated for, and received, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving. The citation was presented by the Aurora Detachment for the OPP on Feb 16, 2022. This
was a well-deserved commendation, to be sure.

As a measure of recognition, the PTAO board awarded both Keian Jainarine and Karan Patel with PTAO Hero of the Industry rings.
A presentation to Keian and Karan was made by board director Sal Fedele on behalf of the entire board.

Cover photo: Sal Fedele of PTAO with the Durham Towing crew
Photo courtesy of Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO)