More than 600 insurance claims filed after M1 truck spill

The trucking company responsible for last week’s metal spill that stranded hundreds on the M1 is facing more than $1 million in insurance claims, and is now inviting affected drivers to a community barbecue.

More than 600 insurance claims have been lodged following the major metal spill on the M1 Pacific Motorway last Friday, with the trucking company behind the chaos now organising a barbecue to speak directly with affected drivers.

The incident unfolded early Friday when a truck owned by NJ Ashton Group shed hundreds of kilograms of sharp metal fragments — known as “flock” — over a 25km stretch of southbound lanes between Palmdale and Mount White, damaging tyres on more than 300 vehicles.

NJ Ashton General Manager Daniel Falconer told 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Monday that 620 claims had already been submitted, and the total cost was likely to exceed $1 million.

“We thought we had about 800–900 emails … and 620 claims have been produced so far,” Mr Falconer said.

“Up towards the two (million) mark.”

The metal load — known as “flock”. Picture: RFS

Last Friday’s chaos on the M1 after a truck lost its load of scrap metal, and cars had their tyres shredded by the spill. Picture: TNV

To help streamline the claims process and answer questions directly, the company is hosting a barbecue this Friday at the 47 Oaks Café at Peats Ridge from 11am to 2pm.

“So on Friday, we’re having a barbecue with a coffee. Days come in between 11am-2pm. It’s at 47 Oaks Café, Peats Ridge Village, which is 780 Peats Ridge Road,” Mr Falconer said.

The chaos started in the early hours of Friday morning. Picture: 7 News

“It’s just to say, you know, we’re here, come down … the insurance company will be there. You can have a chat.”

The driver of the truck — described by Falconer as “devastated” — will also be in attendance.

The highway was closed for a number of hours as crews cleaned the spill. Picture: Live Traffic NSW

“He’s back on the road. He’ll be there on Friday. If anyone wants to speak to him, they can.”

Mr Falconer said they still don’t have a clear answer on how the tailgate opened.

“There’s an ICAM investigation. So they come in and it takes three or four weeks, and they just investigate everything from before the accident to the time he drove away and parked up, and it’ll take three or four weeks, so we won’t know anything until that’s completed.”

NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison previously called the incident “unprecedented,” as hundreds of vehicles were forced to pull over with shredded tyres.

Many were towed to the Mount White weigh station, with the trucking company and insurers pledging to cover all costs.

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