This fascinating series reveals the virtually unknown occupation of ice road trucking, one of the world’s most dangerous jobs. In the second episode this week, the truckers organise a convoy to deliver critical supplies to the Diavik mine before an Arctic storm blows in. But trouble ensues when Rick breaks down before he can even get going, and TJ is separated from the other drivers just as the storm hits. Meanwhile, Hugh hires a driver to operate one of his empty trucks, but an overheated engine looks set to keep the new recruit off the road.

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.

The ice road season reaches day 37 and more than 7,000 loads have made it to the mines, with a further 3,000 to go. But the drivers are feeling the strain and the roads are pitted with countless scratches and cracks.

Rick Fitch, the road manager for the Tli Cho Landtran company, has a backlog of vital supplies that need to make it to the mines as soon as possible. Unfortunately, an Arctic storm is brewing to the west. One severe storm can shut down the ice road and put everyone behind schedule. With time running out, Rick organizes a special convoy of five trucks to get the loads out fast. Rick Yemm, Jay Westgard, Alex Debogorski and TJ Tilcox are all driving in the convoy. Rick suffers another round of mechanical problems before he even gets to the ice, while TJ is separated from the group just as the brutal storm hits the ice road. The rest of the convoy makes it to the Diavik mine just before high winds and blowing snow cause Secure Check to shut down the road. The crew is stranded at Diavik for 16 hours with no word from TJ. Has the rookie come to serious grief?

Meanwhile, Hugh Rowland struggles with having lost two of his drivers this season. He hires a new recruit to take over Drew Sherwood’s old truck, but from the start it does not appear that the new driver’s luck will be any better than Drew’s. The truck overheats just a few miles into the Ingraham Trail, and Hugh has another rig going nowhere.

Friday 29th February at 8:00pm on five