Truck spill causes chaos on M1 with hundreds of cars stranded over 25km stretch

The homeward commute could be a slow crawl on the M1, which has reopened after more than 300 vehicles were stranded with punctured tyres when a truck lost its load and scattered metal fragments for 25km.

There's chaos on the M1 after a truck lost its load of scrap metal, and cars had their tyres shredded by the spill. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

The M1 has reopened but it could still be slow going this evening after sweepers and tow trucks were brought n to deal with more than 300 vehicles impacted by 700 kilograms of sharp metal debris scattered across 25 kilometres of southbound lanes on the M1 Pacific Motorway on Friday morning.

The M1 was closed for southbound travellers for much of the day, snarled for those travelling north as the hours-long clean-up continued until almost 4pm when it reopened from Ourimbah to Moutn White, north of Sydney.

Diversions have been lifted, but there were still southbound delays on the Old Pacific Highway and Peats Ridge Road.

It came as the company behind the truck spill said its insurance would cover the damage, after scrap metal fragments scattered across southbound lanes left drivers stranded as their vehicles’ tyres went flat or shredded.

NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison described the situation as “unprecedented”. with B-double trucks unable to take the detour route along the Pacific Highway because it’s too narrow for heavy vehicles.

More uncovered shards. Picture: Facebook

A metal fragment in a tyre. Picture: Facebook

M1 Southbound blocked after a truck spilt metal debris. Picture: Facebook

“One of the things we want to (make clear) is that there will be no charge for your vehicle being towed,” NSW Transport Co-ordinator-General Howard Collins said.

“It is important we support those motorists who have suffered multiple tyre failures.”

The scattered debris on the M1 Motorway. Picture: Supplied

“These metal shards are small, but very sharp and could lead to later failure.”

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Acting Superintendent Thomas Barnes warned the evening commute “is going to take you longer to get to your destination”.

“But it is still a destination that you will arrive at, and hopefully arrive there safely.”

He said the incident was a “good example of the risk posed to motorists” in the event of a breakdown.

“It was “very lucky we didn’t have a fatality or a serious injury” as a result of the large scattered debris.

He added that there were abandoned vehicles which NSW Transport and Police were working to contact those owners.

Ms Aitchison also warned motorists who thought they’d got through unscathed to check their cars for damage.

“If you were on the M1 between 4am and 6am, check your tyres for punctures or shards of metal,” she said.

The commuters’ nightmare began near Palmdale, north of Ourimbah, early on Friday when the truck is believed to have unknowingly lost part of its metal load — known as “flock” — which punctured tyres as it spread all the way to the Mount White weigh station.

TRUCK COMPANY APOLOGISES

Daniel Falconer, General Manager of NJ Ashton Group, confirmed one of their trucks was responsible and said the likely cause was a mechanical fault, despite the trailer being properly secured.

“This is definitely one of our trucks … The pins on the back of the truck were locked, confirmed by the police,” Falconer said. “It seems to be just an accident … We’re very sorry for all the concern.”

He said the truck had been loaded on Thursday and passed safety checks, but small sharp fragments of steel had somehow begun seeping out during the journey.

“It’s just small steel … it’s puncturing the tyres … The driver had absolutely no idea,” he said. “Everything was locked. When the police turned up, they confirmed that.”

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

Hundreds of tyres were affected. Picture: RFS

DRIVER ‘DEVASTATED’

Mr Falconer said the driver, a veteran with 20 years of experience, was devastated. “He just doesn’t know how it’s opened … He’s devastated.”

The company deployed managers, mechanics and sweepers to assist affected drivers. Mr Falconer added their insurance would cover damages, with several motorists already getting in touch. “They just contact us, go through our insurance, and everything will be covered,” he said.

The spill was disastrous for southbound drivers, with hundreds of cars forced into the breakdown lane after running over the sharp debris.

Mr Collins said tyre damage forced hundreds of vehicles into the Mount White weigh station.

Some drivers, he added, had suffered damage so severe that “all four tyres on some cars had been shredded”.

Cars and trucks pulled over in the Mount White heavy vehicle checking station. Picture: Live Traffic NSW

Metal fragments are being found in car tyres. Picture: Facebook