Gold Coast motorists tell horror stories of loose loads on M1 after death of Merrimac motorbike rider Craig Ward

Gold Coast motorcyclist Craig ‘Wardy’ Ward was killed on the M1 after a ladder reportedly fell from a tradie’s vehicle. Since then, motorists have spoken up about their own experiences

FRIGHTENING tales of near misses and crashes caused by vehicles carrying unsecured loads on the M1 have emerged after the tragic death of a Gold Coast motorcyclist, seemingly due to a loose load.

Merrimac rider Craig ‘Wardy’ Ward, 53, was killed on the M1 on Monday after a small step ladder reportedly fell from the back of a tradie’s vehicle and sparked a multi-car crash.

The tradie approached Gold Coast police after the pile-up, but charges have not been laid at this stage.

The scene of the tragic fatal crash on the M1 at Nerang on Monday. Picture: Scott Powick

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Angry comments have spread across social media pages following the early morning fatal.

Many Facebook users said loose loads were a common issue on the M1 and needed to be a focus for Queensland Police.

The Bulletin asked on Facebook whether readers had seen a loose load incident on the M1 and readers weighed in with their own harrowing experiences.

Joey Kingman said a large dustbin flew off the back of a ute and into the path of his car.

“I had no choice but to shut my eyes and pray,” he said.

“It shattered upon impact with my car and caused a huge impact.

Craig Ward, 53, of Merrimac was killed in a horror crash on the M1 on Monday morning, which has been linked to a ladder falling from a tradie’s vehicle. Picture: Facebook

“When I caught up to the tradie, wound down my window and told him what happened, he responded by giving me the finger and saying ‘go f**k yourself’.”

Caitlin Nerber said: “A mattress flew off a ute a while back at Reedy Creek on the M1 and cars went flying everywhere to avoid it.

“Scary as hell, that’s for sure,” she said.

Julie McCaw said an electric saw came flying off a ute while she was driving on the M1 near Reedy Creek.

If I was any closer, It definitely would have hit me. It bounced like a ball!” she said.

“And just last week I saw a man had lost his load of timber on Reedy Creek Road (from the back of his ute).”

The scene of the tragic fatal crash on the M1 at Nerang on Monday. Picture: Scott Powick

Sean Macnamara said he had seen multiple loose load incidents on the M1, including the “worst one”, which involved “a dog off the back of a (Toyota) HiLux”.

He also mentioned incidents involving a cupboard, kitchen cabinets, tyres and a fridge and said people “don’t give a crap”.

Caitlin Fishlock said: “My car was written off after I was in an accident just after the Coomera exit.”

“Guy had a couch not tied down and it flew up and hit the road,” she said.

Siddhartha Mukherjee said he often rode between the Gold Coast and Brisbane on the M1.

He said he had swerved to avoid ladders, a mattress, a jar of screws or nails, a large sheet of metal and a stack of cardboard boxes.

Craig Ward was a keen motorbike rider. Picture: Facebook

“The number of times Waze (navigation app) has saved my life by calling out ‘object on the road ahead’ is countless!” he said.

The Forensic Crash Unit has been investigating the Exit 69 crash near Nerang, according to Gold Coast District Duty Officer Chris Tritton.

He previously said officers were investigating whether an “unsecured load” – a small step ladder – fell and caused a vehicle to take evasive action.

“The motorbike rider (Mr Ward) has then been struck or come into an uncomfortable situation and has lost control of his motorcycle,” he said.

It seems Mr Ward’s motorbike was then hit by a ute, causing fatal injuries to the Oceanic Group worker.

Gold Coast police was asked how many motorists had been fined or warned for insecure or overhanging loads in 2019 and so far this year, but that information was not immediately provided.

Craig Ward worked at Oceanic Group at Upper Coomera. Picture: Facebook

The Bulletin also asked if police would have a particular focus on the illegal practice following Mr Ward’s death.

“Insecure loads have the potential to cause tragic accidents. It is crucial that motorists load their vehicle in a way that does not make it unstable or unsafe, and they must ensure the load is unlikely to fall or be dislodged,” a spokesman said.

“Appropriate methods should be taken to ensure a load remains secure, such as securing a load with netting, or ensuring everything is tied down securely.

“The Gold Coast District runs proactive operations that target driver safety and driver behaviour, which includes ensuring loads are secure. Police will maintain a high visibility presence on the roads and encourage motorists to think about their behaviour before the set off on their journey.

“Every road user has a part to play in road safety.”

Drivers of cars and other light vehicles with insecure or overhanging loads face a maximum penalty of about $2600.

The Bulletin was told there is no hard and fast amount designated for on-the-spot fines and it depends on the circumstances.