The general manager of NJ Ashton, Daniel Falconer, has revealed that the financial repercussions of a significant scrap metal spill on a busy NSW highway could reach millions. The incident occurred on the M1 motorway on the Central Coast, leading to a torrent of insurance claims from motorists whose tyres were damaged as a result of the metal debris scattered across the road.
Falconer stated that while about 800 claims appear to be valid, he has expressed concern over some potentially fraudulent claims being submitted. Many affected drivers only discovered their damaged tyres after returning from work later that day. Initial estimates suggest that the total cost of the damages could be around $2 million, significantly impacting the transport company.
The spill, which occurred early on Friday, led to the closure of the highway, causing severe traffic congestion as hundreds of vehicles experienced tyre damage. Falconer noted that the situation could have been far worse had the incident occurred during peak hour. The truck driver responsible for the spill has since been taken off the roads and is recovering from the stressful experience.
The clean-up operation took considerable time and effort, and Falconer reported that the sheer number of damaged vehicles was unprecedented, with many previously unnoticed damages surfacing later. An investigation into the cause of the incident is currently underway, expected to last up to four weeks.
Any individuals whose vehicles were affected are encouraged to contact NJ Ashton, as the company’s insurance is prepared to cover the costs incurred. Overall, Falconer emphasised the scale of the disruption and expressed relief that the incident did not result in more severe consequences for road users.