If you’re stuck in this snow and see a dark green pickup truck stop, consider yourself rescued.
It’s likely Terrance Thibeault, and his 2007 3/4 ton Chevy Silvarado. So far, he’s used the truck to pull out 56 cars, trucks and minivans from the snowy muck that’s wreaked havoc on local travelers.
“Saturday and Sunday I was driving around helping as many people as I could,” the 18-year-old said on Wednesday afternoon. And on his way home work throughout the week, he’s been stopping any time a fellow driver needed a spare hand, or a gentle push.
He’s been doing it just because he would want help if he was in the same situation. Last year, he managed to get his own car stuck in snow. This year, he’s had no trouble at all.
“If I was stuck, I would be kind of mad,” he said. “Obviously they’re all trying to get somewhere.”
He doesn’t pass judgement on anyone who gets stuck, and they all deserve a little help, he says. He’s even helped out a BC Hydro truck that got stuck, and a five-ton work truck. The BC Hydro truck was the closest he’s been to getting stuck himself, but there was another truck there helping as well.
And yes, he knows all the towing is not good for his truck, even with his heavy duty, six-litre engine.
“It’s actually very hard on the vehicle,” he admits.
Still, he can’t help but to help others, even if they are repeat customers. One man has gotten stuck on the same road, in the same, “probably about three or four times.”
While it’s no bother to Thibeault, he said the man “was getting a little frustrated that he kept getting stuck. But it’s all the ruts. Lots of times it’s just people trying to get into their driveway or get out.”
Sometimes, it’s people who think their vehicles are capable of going fast, or traversing deep snow.
He’ll help them, too. He doesn’t pass anyone by. Thibeault isn’t the only driver who has been taking the time out to help others. Many people have stopped their travels to give someone a push or a pull out of a sticky situation. But all of the experience he’s gotten from this snowstorm could come in handy for his future career plans.
While he works for Amix Steel right now, the Sardis graduate hopes to one become an RCMP officer.
