Water-logged roadside cushion leads to horrifying accident: ‘Don’t kill us’
- Replies 10
While many of us shake our heads at the thoughtlessness of those who carelessly litter, few realise the dire threats these acts can pose.
Beyond harming our environment, wildlife, and community aesthetics, such reckless abandonment may hide other menacing hazards.
One unsuspecting Aussie motorist confronted this peril head-on, reminding us that these illicit acts aren’t just eyesores—they can be life-threatening.
During heavy rain near Billinudgel on the New South Wales (NSW) Far North Coast, Zen Murray and Nathan Davies were unexpectedly confronted by a water-logged cushion blown onto their path by strong winds.
This caused their van to lose control and crash into a railing.
‘All I could think about was ‘don’t kill us, don’t kill me. I’ve got two young kids,’ Murray told Yahoo News Australia, visibly shaken by the memory.
The two were driving at approximately 70km/h when they lost control.
They first hit a wall, veered to the opposite side of the road, and ultimately crashed into a guard rail.
This rail prevented them from falling 40 metres down an embankment filled with trees.
After this harrowing experience, Murray urged the public to refrain from illegal dumping on roadsides. He noted that the sofa had been abandoned there for weeks.
As Murray and Davies were driving their Hyundai iLoad van to grab some food after work, an approaching vehicle flashed its lights at them near the top of a hill in Billinudgel, north of Byron Bay.
‘I thought he was signalling that there were cops ahead,’ Murray recalled. ‘But I checked, and I was going 10 km under the speed limit because of the rain.’
Unbeknownst to him, the flashing was a warning about an imminent hazard that would lead to the destruction of his vehicle.
Looking back, Murray acknowledged the gravity of the situation and felt ‘lucky’ that there wasn’t another car on the Brunswick Valley Motorway when they crashed.
Murray took to social media to highlight the perils of illegal dumping. In his post, he implored individuals not to discard their belongings haphazardly.
‘I’d like to thank the people who like to leave rubbish and furniture on the side of the road. My friend and I are lucky to be alive after hitting a couch cushion that had blown onto the road,’ he shared on social media.
Reactions to his post were swift, with one person commenting, ‘That's terrible,’ and another noting, ‘So dangerous’.
Murray elaborated, ‘All it takes is for [the] wind to pick up, you add a bit of rain to it, and someone’s life is over. It’s just not worth it.’
In many local councils, including the Byron Shire Council, where Murray resides, strict penalties exist for those who dispose of waste illegally in public areas. The fines at this particular council can reach as high as $250,000.
‘If you don't have the 50 bucks to go to the tip, call the council. [They] actually give out tip vouchers,’ Murray further advised.
As per the council’s official website, every household can avail of two $50 waste disposal vouchers annually and borrow trailers without any charge for waste transportation.
In many local councils, including the Byron Shire Council, where Murray resides, strict penalties exist for those who dispose of waste illegally in public areas. The fines at this particular council can reach as high as $250,000.
‘If you don't have the 50 bucks to go to the tip, call the council. [They] actually give out tip vouchers,’ Murray further advised.
As per the council’s official website, every household can avail of two $50 waste disposal vouchers annually and borrow trailers without any charge for waste transportation.
Members, what's your take on this incident? Do you have suggestions for the community on proper disposal or tips for drivers to prevent such situations? Share your ideas in the comments below!
Beyond harming our environment, wildlife, and community aesthetics, such reckless abandonment may hide other menacing hazards.
One unsuspecting Aussie motorist confronted this peril head-on, reminding us that these illicit acts aren’t just eyesores—they can be life-threatening.
During heavy rain near Billinudgel on the New South Wales (NSW) Far North Coast, Zen Murray and Nathan Davies were unexpectedly confronted by a water-logged cushion blown onto their path by strong winds.
This caused their van to lose control and crash into a railing.
‘All I could think about was ‘don’t kill us, don’t kill me. I’ve got two young kids,’ Murray told Yahoo News Australia, visibly shaken by the memory.
Two men emerged unscathed after a crash sent their car spinning out of control. Image source: Facebook.
The two were driving at approximately 70km/h when they lost control.
They first hit a wall, veered to the opposite side of the road, and ultimately crashed into a guard rail.
This rail prevented them from falling 40 metres down an embankment filled with trees.
After this harrowing experience, Murray urged the public to refrain from illegal dumping on roadsides. He noted that the sofa had been abandoned there for weeks.
As Murray and Davies were driving their Hyundai iLoad van to grab some food after work, an approaching vehicle flashed its lights at them near the top of a hill in Billinudgel, north of Byron Bay.
‘I thought he was signalling that there were cops ahead,’ Murray recalled. ‘But I checked, and I was going 10 km under the speed limit because of the rain.’
Unbeknownst to him, the flashing was a warning about an imminent hazard that would lead to the destruction of his vehicle.
Looking back, Murray acknowledged the gravity of the situation and felt ‘lucky’ that there wasn’t another car on the Brunswick Valley Motorway when they crashed.
Murray took to social media to highlight the perils of illegal dumping. In his post, he implored individuals not to discard their belongings haphazardly.
‘I’d like to thank the people who like to leave rubbish and furniture on the side of the road. My friend and I are lucky to be alive after hitting a couch cushion that had blown onto the road,’ he shared on social media.
Reactions to his post were swift, with one person commenting, ‘That's terrible,’ and another noting, ‘So dangerous’.
Murray elaborated, ‘All it takes is for [the] wind to pick up, you add a bit of rain to it, and someone’s life is over. It’s just not worth it.’
In many local councils, including the Byron Shire Council, where Murray resides, strict penalties exist for those who dispose of waste illegally in public areas. The fines at this particular council can reach as high as $250,000.
‘If you don't have the 50 bucks to go to the tip, call the council. [They] actually give out tip vouchers,’ Murray further advised.
As per the council’s official website, every household can avail of two $50 waste disposal vouchers annually and borrow trailers without any charge for waste transportation.
To report illegal dumping in NSW, click here. Image source: Facebook
In many local councils, including the Byron Shire Council, where Murray resides, strict penalties exist for those who dispose of waste illegally in public areas. The fines at this particular council can reach as high as $250,000.
‘If you don't have the 50 bucks to go to the tip, call the council. [They] actually give out tip vouchers,’ Murray further advised.
As per the council’s official website, every household can avail of two $50 waste disposal vouchers annually and borrow trailers without any charge for waste transportation.
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