JJ Richards dump truck crashes into tree branches outside Cairns Reef Hotel Casino

A rubbish truck smashed a huge tree branch onto cars and came within inches of hitting a Cairns schoolteacher and his son. WATCH THE VIDEO

TRAFFIC was drawn to a dead halt on one of the city’s busiest roads after a dump truck smashed into a tree and knocked huge branches onto parked cars.

The scene outside the Reef Hotel Casino on Abbott St was one of confusion early Tuesday afternoon as police set up a roadblock, motorists checked vehicles for damage and a distressed truck driver spoke into his phone.

It is understood there were no injuries in the ordeal – but it was a near miss.

Cairns primary school teacher Paul Pudovskis and his son Preston got the fright of their life when a JJ Richards rubbish truck hit a tree and knocked a large branch onto their parked car outside the Reef Hotel Casino. Picture: Chris Calcino

Cairns schoolteacher Paul Pudovskis and his son Preston were just seconds away from getting hit by the fallen branch.

Fortunately, they were still inside their car when it was struck.

“We were just coming to the (Wildlife) Dome to do the zip line and we decided to park close to the casino,” Mr Pudovskis explained.

“Then we went to pay the ticket and we realised that it wouldn’t take a card, so we actually got back in the car to find some cash.

Traffic was blocked outside the Reef Hotel Casino. Picture: Chris Calcino

“The bloke next door to us saw thought he’d give us a free ticket.”

That turn of events proved to be fortunate indeed.

“I grabbed the free ticket from him, got back in the car and a big tree fell on the top of my car – nearly took my arm off,” Mr Pudovskis said.

“Anyway, we … realised we couldn’t get out of the car and the bloke was knocking on our door and asking us whether we were OK.

“It all happened pretty quickly.”

Paul Pudovskis and his son Preston were almost hit by the branch. Picture: Chris Calcino

The Cairns West State School teacher said it appeared the truck had its skip bin-lifting forks raised when it hit the tree.

Mr Pudovskis’s vehicle received only minor damage.

A neighbouring utility was also struck but no damage was immediately visible.

JJ Richards has been asked for comment.

The truck was not a Cairns Regional Council vehicle or carrying out council business – although the company does have waste removal contracts with the local government.

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Originally published as JJ Richards dump truck crashes into tree branches outside Cairns Reef Hotel Casino