M1 closure: Hundreds of cars stranded with flat tyres, traffic delays after Central Coast accident
A major traffic incident on the M1 motorway has left hundreds of vehicles stranded with flat tyres after a truck spill scattered debris across multiple lanes early Friday morning – with traffic backed up to the Mooney Mooney Bridge.
A truck heading south on the M1 is believed to have lost part of its metal load near Palmdale, north of Ourimbah, which scattered across the freeway and extended all the way down to the Mount White weigh station.
2GB’s Ben Fordham revealed the delays on Friday morning – impacting motorists on the Central Coast.
‘I just saw eight cars pulled over with flat tyres – and within a minute or two, that number had doubled,’ Robert told Fordham.
‘By the time I passed the next hill, there were at least 40 cars pulled up trying to change tyres.’
‘Mate, there’s at least 300 of them. I’m north-bound at the Mooney Mooney Bridge now and there’s hundreds of them,’ one caller said.
‘I’ve been driving down here for 35 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,’ another said.
Transport for NSW and emergency services are now on scene cleaning up the debris from the road.
Chaos on the M1: A truck spill leaves hundreds stranded with flat tyres – debris stretches over 25km
Emergency crews are responding as debris causes traffic havoc up to Mooney Mooney Bridge
Traffic is starting to bank up on the M1 after metal debris were scattered across the road
Debris is said to have scattered across every lane for over 25 kilometres — stretching from near Ourimbah to Mount White.
Drivers are advised to steer clear of the area or brace for major delays.
Coordinator general for Transport NSW Howard Collins told Fordham’s show that traffic was building up and there was at least 40 vehicles in the Mount White heavy vehicle station with flat tyres.
‘We’re working with the police now. I’ve sent as many of our trucks and transport commanders to assists as possible along with our colleagues from the breakdown services,’ Mr Collins said.
‘We believe it’s a dog and trailer where the backdoor has come open and literally spilled metal debris which just shreds tyres.
‘We have vehicles with four tyres gone so it’s not as if you can just get your tyre out.’
Authorities are keeping the M1 southbound lanes open to avoid even more congestion and are asking anyone with dash cam footage of the spill to come forward to police.
There have been reports that the driver who lost the lost the load of metal debris may be at the Mount White weight station now.
‘This guy has a lot of explaining to do,’ Mr Collins said.
