The employer of the man caught on video trying to save the life of the truck driver killed in Tuesday’s explosion on the Met praised Carol Bujold's actions in the face of imminent danger.

“Last night he said he’s not a hero,” said Jean Carriere, director of construction materials firm Givesco. “He said he did what he had to do to try and save someone’s life. He said he couldn’t understand, he goes ‘I was the only one trying to help this poor man. People on the other side of the highway were just driving by, not stopping. The people in the back were more or less running away.’ But he couldn’t do anything. He could just hear the man inside.”

Gilbert Prince, 52, was trapped inside the cab of his truck and died in the fire.

Carriere described Bujold, who works as a driver for Givesco, as a hardworking and loyal employee who has rarely missed a day of work since joining the company in 2010. He said Bujold is 51-years-old and lives in Laval with his wife. He is a driver with 25 to 30 years of experience and a father to a young son who lives in Lac-St-Jean-Abitibi with his grandmother.

“I’m very proud. Carol is an excellent person,” he said. “He comes to work in the morning and actually hugs his coworkers every day. That’s the type of person he is. It doesn’t surprise me that he did everything in his power to try and save this man.

“We’re so glad that Carol is ok and safe,” he added. “We’re so upset, it’s such a tragic event that that man passed away.”

Carriere said he spoke to Bujold briefly over the phone several times after the accident and went to visit him in hospital during the evening. Bujold recounted his version of events.

While sitting in his own truck, he saw the fuel tanker approaching quickly. He braced for what would turn out to be a heavy impact.

“When the truck hit his truck, he was more or less propelled 20 feet forward,” said Carriere. “It was a very violent collision.”

Bujold then got out of his vehicle and approached the tanker. He saw the driver was stuck and when he got closer, saw the fire starting. He ran back to his own truck to grab a crowbar usually used to tighten straps on cargo. He then went to the passenger side of the tanker to try and pry the door open. From inside, he could hear the driver asking him to save him. Yanking on the door, he cut his hand slightly before being forced to retreat.

“It’s a question of seconds. He did everything he could to try and save him but he couldn’t stay there any longer,” said Carriere.