Hundreds of drivers faced a frustrating situation on one of Australia’s busiest highways after a truck spilled a massive load of sharp metal shards. The incident occurred early on Friday morning when the truck lost about 750 kilograms of scrap metal on the M1 Pacific Motorway near Ourimbah, just north of Sydney.
The truck traveled for approximately 30 kilometers before the spillage was noticed. By then, at least 300 cars had suffered flat tyres due to the debris scattered across the road. Some emergency vehicles were also affected, with their tyres shredded by the sharp metal.
Authorities closed the city-bound lanes for several hours to address the situation. It took about 10 hours to clear the area, which was reopened in the afternoon. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported that the truck lost its load around 5 a.m., causing significant disruption for commuters.
To assist with the clean-up, crews used magnets to attract the metal shards. State highway patrol commander Howard Collins explained that it wasn’t just a simple matter of sweeping the road. They were also removing metal embedded in the highway itself, which is a time-consuming process.
The truck driver, a 46-year-old man, is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The company that owns the truck, NJ Ashton, has issued an apology and is working to help with the clean-up efforts. They expressed regret for the damage and disruption caused, stating they are still trying to understand how the incident occurred.
State roads minister Jenny Aitchison described the event as "unprecedented" and emphasized that both government resources and private sector help are being utilized for the clean-up. The M1 is a crucial route for both freight and commuters, making this incident particularly impactful for many travelers.