This fascinating series reveals the virtually unknown occupation of ice road trucking, one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. In the first of this week’s two episodes, Alex ventures into the unknown when he crosses a new ice road to an abandoned gold mine. Drew tests Hugh’s patience with yet another series of breakdowns. And TJ faces the end of his season when he is airlifted to hospital with abdominal pains.

The small town of Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territory is home to the high-risk industry of ice trucking. Every winter, the region’s many lakes freeze over and are converted into ice highways, serving Canada’s remote diamond mines. Skilled drivers are called upon to deliver vital supplies to these far-flung outposts. If they can endure the harsh conditions and the ever-present danger of ice cracking under their wheels, these audacious truckers can make a year’s salary in just two months.

Alex Debogorski is on a 138-mile run to a former gold mine which has undergone a massive clean-up operation. To reach the mine, Alex has to use a recently opened ice road. As his truck eases across the 32 inch-thick ice, the grizzled veteran is philosophical about the risk of dropping through into the water below. “Gotta die someplace,” he says. “I guess today is as good as any other day.” Alex makes it to the mine in one piece and collects his load – a 60 foot-long cabin. But trouble strikes on the return journey when he tries to clear a slope and his wheels lose traction in the snow, leaving him stuck in a rut. Fortunately, a water tanker appears out of nowhere and gives him a tow. For Alex, it is a reminder that even experienced hands are at the mercy of the conditions.

Elsewhere, Hugh Rowland is in a hurry to get his truck back on the road in time to pick up his next load. There are fraught moments when the mechanic discovers a hole in one of his tyres, and they must dash across town to acquire a replacement. Hugh makes it to despatch in the nick of time to sign out his next load. While Hugh pulls out on another journey, his employee, Drew Sherwood, continues to endure a torrid time. Rookie Drew has been plagued by breakdowns all season, and now his rig seems to have ground to a halt because of a lack of fuel. Local mechanic Lee Parkinson is getting sick and
tired of tending to Drew’s mishaps. “You’re just about close to getting your teeth punched down your throat,” he grumbles. “Every problem you’ve had this winter has been because of your stupidity.” Although Drew’s engine has only been off for an hour, it is long enough for the fuel to freeze in the tank. His rig is towed to the garage to warm up and Drew faces another day of sitting around, spending money he does not have on repairs and a hotel room. His boss has little sympathy. “Drew is his own worst enemy,” Hugh says. “He’s wrecked more stuff in one season than any driver I’ve ever had.” Yet more bad luck strikes when Drew’s trailer brakes fail and his engine starts leaking coolant. “I’m taking a deep breath or else I’m gonna explode,” he says. Drew’s woes in the snow force him to come to a tough decision about his season.

Out on the ice highway, meanwhile, TJ Tilcox has trouble of his own when he is seized by terrible abdominal pains. TJ thinks it may be due to an accident he had whilst loading his truck days before. As he pulls into his destination, he is bent double in agony. “I’m having a hard time breathing,” he says. “I’m starting to feel dizzy.” A waiting helicopter ships him to the nearest hospital, where he is diagnosed with torn and inflamed muscles. TJ will be allowed to return to work if he passes a checkup in two days’ time. His trip to hospital has cost him a whopping $12,000 in medical expenses – wiping out nearly all of the money he has earned so far.

Wednesday 27th February at 8:00pm on five