A veteran trucker who was badly beaten and left for dead by the side of the Yellowhead Highway says his hauling days are over.
Alex Fraser underwent reconstructive surgery at Royal Inland Hospital Tuesday to repair a damaged eye socket and three broken bones in his cheek — injuries he received while being a Good Samaritan to a stranded vehicle's occupants.
"I look like an ex-boxer," said Fraser from his hospital bed.
The 67-year-old was attacked late Friday just north of Blue River.
He was driving home to Vernon after delivering a load of flour in Edmonton when he noticed a car parked on the shoulder, its headlights facing him and its hood up.
Fraser slowed his truck and saw at least two men near the stranded vehicle.
"One fellow stood out from the lights and was waving his arms," recalled Fraser. "So I figured, 'OK, they've got problems; they need help.'"
He walked to the front of his rig to offer his assistance and heard a man's voice shout, "You truckers are all alike!"
Fraser was then hit on the back of the head and knocked out by what he believes was a third attacker who surprised him from behind. He doesn't remember what happened next, but someone beat him while he was unconscious.
When he came to, the attackers were gone and he was covered in blood and too weak to stand.
Fraser crawled to the steps of his truck and fell unconscious again, waking just long enough to get into the sleeper compartment where he blacked out for a third time.
He awoke near daybreak Saturday.
"I didn't know where I was," he said. "The truck was still running. I figured, 'I can't stay here.' I couldn't see out of my right eye — could hardly see anything at all — but I managed to drive 34 kilometers into Blue River."
The injured man pulled into the Husky station in Blue River, opened the door of his cab and fell to the ground. Those nearby rushed to his aid and called 911.
This tragic event is another example of the great people that make the long haul everyday. Without blinking Fraser was there to help people. Please be cautious drivers it is dangerous trucking out there.
Valemount RCMP are investigating the attack.
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