Hundreds of Vehicles Destroyed After Truck Dumps Scrap Metal Load Over 19 Miles | Carscoops

      The incident occurred in the early morning hours in New South Wales, Australia.

      On May 2, 2025, at 09:51, a tandem truck spilled 1,650 pounds of scrap metal on the M1 Pacific Motorway in Australia.

      The sharp debris spread over a 19-mile stretch, damaging over 350 vehicles.

      This accident resulted in significant traffic delays and a 10-hour road closure for cleanup efforts.

      Earlier today, a strange event unfolded in New South Wales, Australia, when a truck spilled scrap metal across the highway, stranding thousands of commuters during the morning rush hour. The debris caused tire punctures for many drivers, leading to a complete halt in traffic.

      The tandem rig was traveling southbound on the M1 Pacific Motorway at approximately 5:00 a.m. when the rear door of its trailer reportedly malfunctioned. Unaware of the issue, the driver continued driving, scattering sharp pieces of scrap metal along a 30-kilometer (19-mile) route between Wyong and Mooney Mooney, located north of Sydney.

      As vehicles followed behind, many drove directly over the debris, causing multiple tire punctures. Some vehicles ended up losing all four tires. Local authorities reported that over 350 vehicles were affected, leaving many stranded on the roadside for several hours. The number of impacted drivers may increase as others discover damage once they return to their vehicles.

      The timing of the incident, occurring prior to the morning commute, exacerbated the situation, leading to a major traffic jam. Consequently, police had to close the affected section of the M1 for approximately 10 hours.

      It is estimated that around 750 kg (1,650 pounds) of scrap metal spilled from the truck, complicating cleanup efforts. The debris was eventually removed using large magnets on cleanup vehicles.

      The Australian trucking company NJ Ashton released a public statement acknowledging that one of its vehicles was responsible for the spill. The statement expressed, “We’re taking full responsibility for what’s happened and are very sorry for any damage and disruption caused.”

      In an interview with Australian media, the company’s owner expressed regret for the inconvenience and assured that their insurance would cover all reasonable expenses. As a goodwill gesture, he also offered affected drivers a free lunch.

      The experienced truck driver involved stated that the load had been secured before departure, indicating that a mechanical failure may have caused the spill. NJ Ashton is assisting with the cleanup and is investigating the cause: “We still don’t fully understand how this happened. At this point, it appears to have been an accident.”

      Fortunately, no injuries were reported, despite the number of flat tires scattered along one of the busiest highways in the region.