Morning coffee run quickly spirals into terrifying and unexpected flight for safety

Imagine starting your day looking forward to that first warm sip of coffee from a familiar drive-thru.

It’s a comforting routine—until one morning, for one woman, it took an unexpected and frightening turn.

In a split second, what should have been an ordinary stop became a test of fear and quick thinking.


Madison's ordinary coffee run at a McDonald's in Epping, north Melbourne, spiralled into a nightmare when the unexpected sound of 'coins jingling' signalled an imminent threat.

As she recounted in a social media video, a man dressed in a black hoodie, grey track pants, a bum bag, and 'fluro' shoes was sprinting towards her car.

With her windows down, Madison's instincts kicked in.


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Madison Andonovski's coffee run turned terrifying into an attempted carjacking. Credit: @madisonandonovski / TikTok


'My windows were down. So I was like, "Oh, f***", she said.

'I put my window back up, and I quickly double-checked that my car doors were locked even though they're automatic.'

She frantically rolled up her windows and double-checked her automatic locks.

In a split-second decision, she floored the accelerator, desperate to escape the McDonald's carpark.


Realising her intent to flee, the man locked eyes with her through the mirror and intensified his pursuit.
Madison's escape route led her through an adjacent petrol station, where she was met by oncoming traffic on the main road.

Trapped and with the man now in full sprint towards her, she faced a terrifying decision.

'(He) starts running up to my car, like full sprint bro, like The Flash.' she said.

'And I'm like "oh f***", like what am I going to do". He literally pulls on my car door handle multiple times,'

'I'm now looking at him. I just put my foot on the accelerator and went straight through the oncoming traffic.'


She drove through the traffic, narrowly avoiding what could have been a catastrophic collision with a semi-truck.

The ordeal left her shaken, and she wondered how no one at the busy intersection seemed to notice her distress or stop to help.
Her disbelief was palpable as she recounted the event, emphasising the sheer luck that she wasn't 'collected' by oncoming vehicles.

Madison's experience starkly reminds us of the vulnerability we all face, even in the most mundane moments of our lives.

Her story has resonated with many, as social media users chimed in with their own similar experiences of attempted carjackings and aggressive encounters on Australian roads.

This incident is not just a cautionary tale but a wake-up call.


It underscores the importance of being aware of our surroundings and the potential dangers, even in the perceived safety of a fast-food drive-thru.

It's a reminder to always lock your doors, stay vigilant, and trust your instincts when something doesn't feel right.

This is a critical habit to adopt for those with cars that don't automatically lock. For everyone else, it's a lesson in not taking safety for granted.

Madison's quick thinking and reflexes may have saved her from a worse fate, but not everyone might be as fortunate.

As we share Madison's story, we also extend a message of solidarity and support to her and anyone who has faced similar fears.

It's a cruel reality that such dangers exist, but by spreading awareness and discussing these incidents, we can foster a community that looks out for one another.


So, next time you're queuing up for your morning coffee, take a moment to check your surroundings and ensure your vehicle is secure.
And if you ever find yourself in a situation like Madison's, remember her story and act swiftly to protect yourself.

Stay safe out there, and let's keep the conversation going about personal safety on the roads.


Credit: TikTok

Key Takeaways

  • Madison Andonovski experienced a terrifying encounter when a stranger attempted to carjack her after she collected coffee from a McDonald's drive-thru in north Melbourne.
  • She noticed the would-be thief because of a jingling sound and saw him in her mirror running towards her car, prompting her to check her locks and speed away quickly.
  • Despite being stuck in oncoming traffic, Madison managed to escape by driving through it when the man tried to open her car door, shocking her that no one else at the intersection intervened.
  • Social media users resonated with her experience, sharing similar incidents, and others offered sympathy and reminded drivers to lock their doors for safety.
Have you ever experienced or witnessed a situation that made you feel unsafe while going about your daily routine? What steps do you take to stay aware of your surroundings and ensure your safety in public places? Let us know in the comments below.
 

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Oh boy, yeah... my husband does not let me go out alone. You'd think, small regional town, about everyone knows everyone, you're safe. NOPE!

My first month here, we went to K-Mart. Walking from the parking lot, we saw a .. well, we call them natives around here, taking a #2 against the wall! They don't hesitate to try to panhandle, especially on pay days at ATM's. My heart broken seeing women, surrounded by the men who should protect her, force her to withdraw her money and head off to the bottle shop. There have been machete attacks. Break-ins. It's like freaking New York city here at times!

We've had posties take parcels to the post office, because the people across the street were watching very closely. My late father-in-law got a wine box every month or so and it always astounded me that it didn't get stolen!

We're having a new alarm system put in, one that's monitored, and that covers the house and yard. We have to go to Perth for medical trips (Ok, for bucket list concerts too ;) ) and worry about break-ins and someone hurting our cats! We have a cat sitter, but she's not here all day. Doors are being replaced, new locks, iron grills on the windows.

That all said, most of the people here are amazing. The town pulls together to help people who need it desperately. When my father-in-law was in the hospital in Perth after an accident in the underground, my husband went there and I was alone the first time ever here. There were security cars going by my house to check on me, I had many offers to meet up for coffee, or to just chat on the phone or online. I did feel safe, and I loved that! :)

My husband is going to get a contractor to help with repairs and renovations. I'd forgotten one of our friends husband was a contractor till I posted in our sisters helping sisters group. She told me to have him call when we were ready :)

Sorry this was so long...
 
Oh boy, yeah... my husband does not let me go out alone. You'd think, small regional town, about everyone knows everyone, you're safe. NOPE!

My first month here, we went to K-Mart. Walking from the parking lot, we saw a .. well, we call them natives around here, taking a #2 against the wall! They don't hesitate to try to panhandle, especially on pay days at ATM's. My heart broken seeing women, surrounded by the men who should protect her, force her to withdraw her money and head off to the bottle shop. There have been machete attacks. Break-ins. It's like freaking New York city here at times!

We've had posties take parcels to the post office, because the people across the street were watching very closely. My late father-in-law got a wine box every month or so and it always astounded me that it didn't get stolen!

We're having a new alarm system put in, one that's monitored, and that covers the house and yard. We have to go to Perth for medical trips (Ok, for bucket list concerts too ;) ) and worry about break-ins and someone hurting our cats! We have a cat sitter, but she's not here all day. Doors are being replaced, new locks, iron grills on the windows.

That all said, most of the people here are amazing. The town pulls together to help people who need it desperately. When my father-in-law was in the hospital in Perth after an accident in the underground, my husband went there and I was alone the first time ever here. There were security cars going by my house to check on me, I had many offers to meet up for coffee, or to just chat on the phone or online. I did feel safe, and I loved that! :)

My husband is going to get a contractor to help with repairs and renovations. I'd forgotten one of our friends husband was a contractor till I posted in our sisters helping sisters group. She told me to have him call when we were ready :)

Sorry this was so long...
Law of the jungle , what’s our country coming to .
 
Stop wasting your money buying second rate coffee from a multi billion dollar franchise just for the sake of convenience and get up 5 or 10 minutes earlier and make it yourself.
That's not the issue here whether it coffee or anything else she is buying and it's definitely not up to you to tell her what to do. How entitled do you think you are Ahole 🤬
 
Yes it would have shocked you & I can see that you are rattled by the experience but at least now you have your face on social media. You should have stayed where you were & sat on the horn to draw attention & called 000. If the man had seen you on the phone he would have taken off especially if you pointed the phone at him. You weren't alone as the Macca's staff were there so the danger would have been much less than you doing a stupid dangerous thing like driving straight out onto traffic endangering not only your life but other peoples. Imagine if there had been a semi on the road that swerved to miss you & ran over someone else's car or cars. You are lucky that you are alive to tell the story. Oh by the way. Left is the other hand.
 
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Yes it would have shocked you & I can see that you are rattled by the experience but at least now you have your face on social media. You should have stayed where you were & sat on the horn to draw attention & called 000. If the man had seen you on the phone he would have taken off especially if you pointed the phone at him. You weren't alone as the Macca's staff were there so the danger would have been much less than you doing a stupid dangerous thing like driving straight out onto traffic endangering not only your life but other peoples. Imagine if there had been a semi on the road that swerved to miss you & ran over someone else's car or cars. You are lucky that you are alive to tell the story. Oh by the way. Left is the other hand.
I have been thinking 🤔 would we have acted any different if it was one ☝️ of us , in that situation shock does weird things , safety
Would be first on our minds to get away from the threat.
 
I drive anold bomb that doesn't have central locking thank goodness, because when I'm in work vehicles that do have c/l
I have no idea how to ensure (or test) if the doors are actually locked, hate central locking!!
 
He
I drive anold bomb that doesn't have central locking thank goodness, because when I'm in work vehicles that do have c/l
I have no idea how to ensure (or test) if the doors are actually locked, hate central locking!!
I had my Ford Focus for 18 years before I realised I could lock the doors. I now have a Toyota Yaris 5 door hatch back for 2 years and still don’t know
how to work half the bits and pieces . I just get and turn the key and drive. As long as it goes that’s all I worry about,I know I should read the information books .
 
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And her first words after the incident were, "I was, like, scared ... "
I think I would have waited, after making sure that the doors were locked, for him to grab the door handle and start yelling for me to open it. Then, while he was still concentrating on his task and had a good grip, I would have floored it, aiming for the nearest pump or post to sideswipe him away from the car. "Oh, my goodness, " I would have said after wiping him off. "I certainly hope you aren't hurt. Surprising what the results are when a body and an immovable object happen to come in contact. Hooroo!"
On the other hand, she's, like, one of those "influencers", so, like, it might have been, like, a good lesson learnt.
 
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A few questions need to be asked.

If this woman was in such "danger" why did she resort to taking selfies and TikTok videos instead of removing herself from such "danger"?

If she was in "real danger", why didn't she ring the police instead of going to social media?

Since when did social media save someone from impending danger? Never!
 
Yes it would have shocked you & I can see that you are rattled by the experience but at least now you have your face on social media. You should have stayed where you were & sat on the horn to draw attention & called 000. If the man had seen you on the phone he would have taken off especially if you pointed the phone at him. You weren't alone as the Macca's staff were there so the danger would have been much less than you doing a stupid dangerous thing like driving straight out onto traffic endangering not only your life but other peoples. Imagine if there had been a semi on the road that swerved to miss you & ran over someone else's car or cars. You are lucky that you are alive to tell the story. Oh by the way. Left is the other hand.
When she reverses the camera on her phone, everything is back to front. That is why her left hand appeared to be her right hand. Just look at the door beside her. It appears to be on her left. No, it is on her right while she sits in the drivers' seat.
 
He

I had my Ford Focus for 18 years before I realised I could lock the doors. I now have a Toyota Yaris 5 door hatch back for 2 years and still don’t know
how to work half the bits and pieces . I just get and turn the key and drive. As long as it goes that’s all I worry about,I know I should read the information books .
That's why God made owners' manuals ...
 
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Yes it would have shocked you & I can see that you are rattled by the experience but at least now you have your face on social media. You should have stayed where you were & sat on the horn to draw attention & called 000. If the man had seen you on the phone he would have taken off especially if you pointed the phone at him. You weren't alone as the Macca's staff were there so the danger would have been much less than you doing a stupid dangerous thing like driving straight out onto traffic endangering not only your life but other peoples. Imagine if there had been a semi on the road that swerved to miss you & ran over someone else's car or cars. You are lucky that you are alive to tell the story. Oh by the way. Left is the other hand.
Reason doesn’t always come to the fore when you’re in a panic and terrified…..
 
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