A Letchworth lorry driver who cared for a man in his dying hours says anyone would have done the same thing – but his family and employer believe he’s something special.

Mark Jeffrey, who works for retail group John Lewis, set off at 3am on December 17 last year thinking it would just be another day on the road.

But as the 36-year-old headed along the M1, he witnessed a lorry smash into the back of a Peugeot 307 which had broken down in the slow lane.

The car was thrown into a ditch where its male driver lay close to death.

Mark, who lives in Townley, immediately stopped his lorry and climbed down into the ditch where he cared for the man for 20 minutes until an ambulance arrived.

Wife Michelle, 35, said: “I think he is incredibly brave. We have been together a long time and you get quite complacent but when something like this happens you realise he is quite amazing.”

And she isn’t the only one. As well as being a hero to their kids – Alfie, nine, and seven-year-old Phoebe –Mark has won John Lewis’ National Distribution Centre award for the transport department for his selfless actions.

Michelle said: “The kids have been telling everyone at their school that their dad is a hero. I don’t think he’d agree, but that’s because he’s too modest.”

Mark said: “I don’t feel I deserve any recognition, all I was doing was trying to help in an awful situation.

“I am really pleased that the children think I’m a hero as most parents want to be a positive role model for their kids.”