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In a troubling incident on one of Australia's busiest highways, an estimated 750 kg (1,653 lbs) of scrap metal shards were accidentally spilled from a truck, leaving more than 300 vehicles with flat tyres. The mishap occurred early Friday morning on the M1 Pacific Motorway near Ourimbah, just north of Sydney.
The situation unfolded around 5 AM when the truck lost a substantial load, putting the highway lane out of commission for approximately 10 hours. New South Wales state police confirmed that the truck traveled roughly 30 km (18 miles) before the spillage was noticed.
Officials from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported that the debris caused damage not only to cars but also to emergency vehicles trying to navigate the highway. "We are using magnetic devices to attract the metal and remove it, which is a time-consuming process," said state highway patrol commander Howard Collins, emphasizing the complexity of the clean-up operation.
State roads minister Jenny Aitchison described the scenario as "unprecedented" and pointed to the collaborative effort between public and private sectors to manage the aftermath. "It's like trying to hoover up the highway. It's very difficult," she explained.
Meanwhile, the trucking company, NJ Ashton, has expressed regret over the incident and is cooperating with authorities during the ongoing investigation. The driver of the vehicle, a 46-year-old man, is assisting police inquiries to understand how the spill occurred.
As the morning of disruptions unfolded, the M1's commuter and freight traffic faced significant delays, showcasing the challenges public safety and urban infrastructure face along this critical route.
In a troubling incident on one of Australia's busiest highways, an estimated 750 kg (1,653 lbs) of scrap metal shards were accidentally spilled from a truck, leaving more than 300 vehicles with flat tyres. The mishap occurred early Friday morning on the M1 Pacific Motorway near Ourimbah, just north of Sydney.
The situation unfolded around 5 AM when the truck lost a substantial load, putting the highway lane out of commission for approximately 10 hours. New South Wales state police confirmed that the truck traveled roughly 30 km (18 miles) before the spillage was noticed.
Officials from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported that the debris caused damage not only to cars but also to emergency vehicles trying to navigate the highway. "We are using magnetic devices to attract the metal and remove it, which is a time-consuming process," said state highway patrol commander Howard Collins, emphasizing the complexity of the clean-up operation.
State roads minister Jenny Aitchison described the scenario as "unprecedented" and pointed to the collaborative effort between public and private sectors to manage the aftermath. "It's like trying to hoover up the highway. It's very difficult," she explained.
Meanwhile, the trucking company, NJ Ashton, has expressed regret over the incident and is cooperating with authorities during the ongoing investigation. The driver of the vehicle, a 46-year-old man, is assisting police inquiries to understand how the spill occurred.
As the morning of disruptions unfolded, the M1's commuter and freight traffic faced significant delays, showcasing the challenges public safety and urban infrastructure face along this critical route.
