The potential dangers of travelling on unsealed roads in unfamiliar country have been graphically illustrated by a dramatic accident in the Northern Territory.
A group of Year 10 students were lucky not to sustain life-threatening injuries when the four-wheel-drive they were travelling in rolled over west of Alice Springs. Superintendent Don Fry said the Toyota Troopcarrier rolled three times after it crested a hill with a slight right bend on the Mereenie Loop road and hit a patch of bulldust. Eight students from St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane, and the teacher who was driving them, were in the area to visit the remote community of Hermannsburg.
Superintendent Fry says even the most experienced drivers can’t be entirely prepared for bush road conditions. “Four-wheel-drives are great for going off road but are not necessarily great for some of the road conditions we have because … of their high centre of gravity,” he said. “I think that is what actually contributes to a lot of these accidents … getting involved in a roll-over in a Troopcarrier, you are lucky to come out unscathed.”
Two Royal Flying Doctor aircraft evacuated the group to Alice Springs Hospital. Nudgee principal Daryl Hanaly told the ABC that the teacher and students were treated for bruises and scratches, with the most serious injury being a fractured ankle.
“We are indeed a very fortunate community to have this accident and not to have any significant injury or fatality,” he said.
Police investigating the cause of the crash say alcohol and speed were not factors.
Have you ever had a scare – or worse – after hitting a patch of bulldust? Do you have any tips for minimising the risks of travelling on unsealed roads? Comment below.
I have done that loop many times in a big coach and a cook trailer behind and have found the conditions change all the time, it appears that they were very lucky to survive as a lot of the time many four wheel would pass me at great speed and I would shake my head.
It’s the old saying, drive to conditions not to what you think your abilities are.