Miracle escape as truck ploughs out of control
Published: September 30, 2004
Amazing stories of survival emerged last night after a truck ploughed into a busy real estate agency in the north Sydney suburb of Newport.
The truck speared out of control through the intersection of Barrenjoey Rd and Seaview Crescent, shearing the front off a maroon 4WD carrying a mother and her 11-year-old son.
Liz Jones suffered only minor leg and arm injuries while her son Liam was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with minor injuries.
Ms Jones was able to make mobile phone calls while she was trapped inside the crumpled wreck of her car.
The accident happened about 3.30pm, just a few metres from Chris White and Diane Latta who were working in the reception area of a Raine & Horne real estate office.
Seconds later the truck crashed through the wall. The pair were thrown clear of the truck’s path as it crushed Ms White’s desk.
Real estate agent Steve Crooks fought through dust and debris to find Ms White with a broken arm and broken ribs in a corner of the office.
“We didn’t expect to find her alive. It was like a bomb had gone off,” he said.
It is believed the truck lost its brakes while heading into the intersection.
Witnesses said they saw the driver flashing the truck’s headlights and swerving to avoid cars for several hundred metres as the truck travelled down the hill on Barrenjoey Rd.
“He was trying to avoid the cars and flashing his lights, we thought it was because he had no brakes,” witness Jasmine Baluch, 25, said.
Police and fire brigade officials were last night trying to remove the truck without bringing the row of shops crashing down.
Firefighters erected support beams around the perimeters around the building to prevent it from collapsing, but they said it would be hours before the truck was removed.
Ms Jones’ husband last night said his wife and son were recovering well.
“I’ve spoken to Liam, he seems fine,” he said.
Ms Latta was last night contemplating her escape: “I’m just thinking how lucky I am.”
Police were last night piecing together how the truck lost control.
Gareth Buckley was at home with his young son in the unit above the shop when the accident happened.
“I thought we’d been hit by lightning, I just heard an explosion,” he said.
“I had my sons and I was concerned about getting them out.”
The Buckley family were not allowed back into their home last night.
The driver was last night being treated at Royal North Shore hospital for head injuries.
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