Authorities are investigating the incident which involved a truck spilling 750kg of scrap metal along a busy highway near Sydney, affecting traffic and emergency services.
Truck Spill Leaves Hundreds of Cars with Flat Tyres on Australia's M1 Highway
Truck Spill Leaves Hundreds of Cars with Flat Tyres on Australia's M1 Highway
A truck accident on the M1 Pacific Motorway caused significant disruption as hundreds of vehicles were left stranded with flat tyres due to sharp metal debris.
Following a distressing incident early Friday morning, where a truck traveling on one of Australia's busiest highways lost a substantial load of sharp metal debris, hundreds of cars were left flat-tired. The truck spilled approximately 750kg (1,653lb) of scrap metal over a distance of 30km (18 miles) before the issue was finally identified, prompting swift action from authorities.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported that the debris has caused damage to the tyres of over 300 vehicles, including emergency response units. This resulted in the closing of city-bound lanes for an extended period of 10 hours on the M1 Pacific Motorway, just north of Sydney, while cleanup operations were conducted.
"The truck lost its load around 5 am this morning, leading to extensive debris on the highway," a representative from the fire service stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. State police confirmed the logistical challenges posed by the clean-up, explaining that usual cleaning methods were inadequate for dealing with such dangerous metallic shards.
Using specialized magnetic devices, authorities are working diligently to remove the sharp metal pieces, including those embedded into the highway surface itself. "We're employing various resources from both governmental and private sectors to manage this unprecedented scenario," noted State Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison.
The truck driver, a 46-year-old man, is cooperating with ongoing investigations, and the trucking company, NJ Ashton, has publicly apologized for the incident. In a statement, they expressed their regret for the disruption caused and the damages incurred, adding that they are still assessing how such a significant spillage occurred.
Highway patrol commander Howard Collins provided a candid comparison of the situation, describing it as akin to "trying to hoover up the highway,” emphasizing the complexities of the ongoing clean-up efforts.
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported that the debris has caused damage to the tyres of over 300 vehicles, including emergency response units. This resulted in the closing of city-bound lanes for an extended period of 10 hours on the M1 Pacific Motorway, just north of Sydney, while cleanup operations were conducted.
"The truck lost its load around 5 am this morning, leading to extensive debris on the highway," a representative from the fire service stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. State police confirmed the logistical challenges posed by the clean-up, explaining that usual cleaning methods were inadequate for dealing with such dangerous metallic shards.
Using specialized magnetic devices, authorities are working diligently to remove the sharp metal pieces, including those embedded into the highway surface itself. "We're employing various resources from both governmental and private sectors to manage this unprecedented scenario," noted State Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison.
The truck driver, a 46-year-old man, is cooperating with ongoing investigations, and the trucking company, NJ Ashton, has publicly apologized for the incident. In a statement, they expressed their regret for the disruption caused and the damages incurred, adding that they are still assessing how such a significant spillage occurred.
Highway patrol commander Howard Collins provided a candid comparison of the situation, describing it as akin to "trying to hoover up the highway,” emphasizing the complexities of the ongoing clean-up efforts.
