Opening Ceremony - "Grand Prix d’Honneur"

IRU XXVIII^th World Congress
Under the Patronage of the President of Romania, Ion Iliescu

Opening Ceremony

(from left to right: Walter Lehman, Bruno Saba, John Defterios, Paul laeremans)

Paul Laeremans
IRU President

"Grand Prix d’Honneur"

May I call upon Mr Walter Lehman and Mr Bruno Saba to join me on stage.

The IRU  "Grand Prix d'Honneur" is a distinction, which is awarded to drivers in international road transport who have performed outstanding acts of courage in the accomplishment of their professional duties. 

In essence, the award goes to real life heroes of the road!  This year, the International Jury had before it several nominations by IRU Member Associations.  The Jury unanimously decided to make two awards:

to Mr Walter Lehman and to Mr Bruno Saba, for their acts of exceptional bravery.

Let me tell you about their courageous feats.  On Tuesday 6 March 2001, Mr Walter Lehman was driving his truck towards Zurich when an accident occurred, in the opposite direction, between a private car and a truck.  The private car was severely damaged and burst into flames.

Mr Lehman immediately stopped his vehicle crossed the central reservation and, putting his life at risk, used his extinguisher to put out the fire. 

It was only thanks to the spontaneous and decisive action of Mr Lehman that the two occupants of the private car are alive today!  Now that's a hero!

Mr Lehman, born in 1948 and married, is an owner-driver, affiliated to ASTAG, the IRU Member Association in Switzerland. He has already received the distinction of the "Chevalier de la route" (knight of the road) from he Swiss Road Accident Prevention organisation (BPA).

It is with great pleasure that I call upon this very brave man, Mr Lehman to come forward to receive the IRU Grand Prix d'Honneur. Mr Lehman, in my capacity as President of the IRU, I am proud of your courageous conduct and of your modesty.  With men like you, our industry is well served and represented.

We have yet another great man on stage!  Let me tell you about his heroic act, that many of you will be familiar with.  His bravery received much media attention around the globe. While driving his truck through the St Gotthard Tunnel on 24 October 2001 in the direction of Italy, Mr Bruno Saba realised that the truck about 150 metres away, coming from the opposite direction, was swerving left and right. The oncoming truck then hit the nearside pavement and a road sign and was projected onto the opposite carriageway, in front of Mr Saba's vehicle. 

Although Mr Saba had slowed down and tried to avoid it by driving to the left, he was unable to avoid a collision, which then blocked the entire tunnel. Unable to open the cab door because of the damage, he quickly climbed out of the window. Seeing that fuel was leaking from the vehicle tank, and aware that his truck-load of tyres could burst into flames at any moment, Mr Saba immediately signalled and shouted to the drivers of oncoming vehicles to stop and leave the tunnel.

While he was running, a car stopped and picked him up, taking him out of the Tunnel where he warned other drivers not to enter it.

Thanks to his timely and courageous action, many persons were able to leave the tunnel before it was too late and others were prevented from entering a probable death-trap, which nonetheless tragically cost the lives of 11 persons.

Bruno Saba, 31 years old and domiciled in Ivrea (Italy), is married with a five-year old son. He has been working as an international truck driver for the last 10 years and is currently employed by the Autotrasporti Pigliacelli Company, a member of Confetra, an IRU Member Association in Italy. For his bravery he was also awarded the "Preme di Bonta 2001" of the "La Sesia" newspaper.

It is with great satisfaction that I also call upon Mr Saba to come forward to receive the IRU Grand Prix d'Honneur.  Mr Saba in my capacity as President of the IRU, I am proud of your courageous conduct and of your modesty.  Your actions and bravery are exemplary.

[ top ]