A clutch of brave witnesses sprang into action to help a trapped driver after he lost control and flipped his truck at the bottom of old Mount Ousley Road, Fairy Meadow, on Wednesday afternoon.
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The prime mover with a mobile crane on its trailer lost control travelling east on Mount Ousley Road about 3.30pm, hitting a roundabout at the intersection of the Princes Highway and overturning in a busy ring road between the McDonald's restaurant and a petrol station.
The driver, in his 40s, was trapped inside the vehicle as up to eight witnesses, including a nurse, rushed to help the man and avert a possible fuel disaster.
"He lost his brakes coming down the hill, and had to swerve to avoid another truck," the nurse said.
"I was checking his pulse. His leg was trapped. The truck was smoking, a few guys ran out with fire extinguishers to hose it down."
Others rushed to the scene on hearing the crash, including Wolfgang Groben who was inside nearby Supercheap Auto.
"The whole building shook. It was a huge big noise," he said.
Dozens of police, ambulance and fire rescue units were on the scene within minutes, clearing onlookers back 50 metres and closing nearby businesses because of a diesel leak pooling around the crane.
The driver was freed at 4.10pm and taken to Wollongong Hospital. Inspector Don Pescud, duty commander for Illawarra Fire and Rescue, said the driver had a broken leg.
"The truck was leaking hydraulic oil from near where the driver was trapped, and 150 litres of diesel is pooled around the crane," Inspector Pescud told the Mercury at the scene.
Wollongong Police Acting Inspector Dan Richardson said investigations would look into why the vehicle lost control, citing mechanical failure as a possible cause, but praised the driver's actions to ensure no others were injured.
"The driver has done well to miss other vehicles, as he attempted to warn others by sounding his horn," Inspector Richardson said.
Fire crews worked into the night to contain the fluid leakage and clear the truck.
In 2006 a truck crashed into the same McDonald's at Fairy Meadow, injuring 13 people.
Raw vision from the accident site.
‘‘I was checking his pulse. The truck was smoking, a few guys ran out with fire extinguishers to hose it down.’’
Dozens of police, ambulance and fire rescue units were on the scene within minutes, clearing onlookers back 50 metres because of a diesel leak pooling around the crane. The driver was freed at 4.10pm, before being taken to Wollongong hospital on a backboard and in a neckbrace. Inspector Don Pescud, duty commander for Illawarra Fire and Rescue, confirmed the driver had suffered a broken leg.
‘‘The truck was leaking hydraulic oil from near where the driver was trapped, and 150 litres of diesel is pooled around the crane,’’ Inspector Pescud told the Mercury around 4.45pm.
Wollongong Police Acting Inspector Dan Richardson said investigations would look into why the vehicle lost control, citing mechanical failure as a possible cause, but praised the driver’s actions in noting no others were injured.
‘‘The driver has done well to miss other vehicles, as he attempted to warn others by sounding his horn,’’ Inspector Richardson said.
‘‘It could have been more serious.’’
Fire crews are currently working to contain the fluid leakage and clear the truck. Inspector Pescud said the road was currently closed, but fire crews hoped to reopen the thoroughfare within four hours.
WEDNESDAY
4.40PM:
4.34PM:
4.32PM: Heavy delays for traffic at Fairy Meadow. Avoid the area if possible.
4.25PM: Mercury journalist Joshua Butler says:
4.10PM: In 2006 a truck crashed into McDonalds at Fairy Meadow injuring 13 people. Admon Romel, of Bonnyrigg Heights, was driving the steel-laden truck which ploughed into the fast food on December 14. Romel was sentenced to two years in jail.
4.08PM:
4.04PM: Mercury journalist Joshua Butler says:
4.01PM: Mercury journalist Joshua Butler says:
4PM: Mercury journalist Joshua Butler says:
3.55PM: The truck driver is believed to be trapped in the vehicle.
3.45PM: A truck has overturned at a key roundabout at Wollongong’s gateway, causing lengthy traffic queues.
The flat-bed truck was carrying earth moving equipment on Mount Ousley Road.
It overturned as it went to turn onto the Princes Highway at 3.30pm.
Emergency services are attending.
More to come