The tyres of dozens of cars have been shredded and almost 30 kilometres of the M1 closed after a truck spilt metal debris across multiple lanes.
The debris spilt just after 5am, sparking traffic chaos and forcing all southbound lanes to be closed between Ourimbah and Mount White. Northbound lanes are unaffected.
Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said at least 40 vehicles had pulled into the Mount White weigh station with tyre damage, but the number was expected to grow.
“A number of vehicles have got further as, obviously, some have significant damage [and] had to stop immediately,” Collins told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
“We’re working with the police now … I’ve sent as many of our trucks, our transport commanders, to assist as possible.”
Collins said the back door of the truck’s trailer was believed to have come open and spilt the debris. All four tyres on some cars had been shredded, he said.
Collins said the truck was believed to have been stopped at the Mount White weigh station and that the driver had “a lot of explaining to do”.
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area, as emergency services work to clean up the debris, and take the Pacific Highway at Ourimbah as an alternative route.
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