A shocking accident which left a man fighting for his life has experts warning unsecured loads are turning highways into death traps.
Clayton Hillier almost died after being hit by an object – believed to be a large metal pole – suspected to have fallen off a truck on the Burnett Highway in Queensland.
His brother Troy was forced to drive for half an hour to meet an ambulance while blood poured from a huge gash in Clayton’s head.
A shocking accident (pictured) which left a man fighting for his life has experts warning unsecured loads are turning highways into deathtraps
Clayton Hillier (pictured) almost died after being hit by an object – believed to be a large piece of metal – suspected to have fallen off a truck on the Burnett Highway in Queensland
His brother was forced to drive for half an hour to meet an ambulance while blood poured from a huge gash in Clayton’s head (pictured)
‘There was a huge explosion,’ said Clayton as he described the moment the metal bar smashed through the windscreen and hit him in the side of the head.
Russell White from Safe Driving Australia said the accident highlights the need for motorists to make sure their loads are secured.
‘Objects that aren’t restrained properly are torpedoes and can quite easily kill somebody if they part company with the vehicle,’ he said.
‘It’s the drivers responsibility to make sure that anything that’s carried on a vehicle is securely fastened on to that vehicle.’
‘If you don’t tie it on, you’re going to kill someone,’ said Clayton Hillier (pictured), who still feels lucky to have survived the accident on September 1
Police believe the object came off a flatbed truck with a New Holland round baler and hay raker on the back, caught on CCTV (pictured)
Queensland Police acting inspector Ian Krang says motorists need to learn how to use the correct straps and methods of securing their cargoes.
‘If you don’t tie it on, you’re going to kill someone,’ said Clayton Hillier, who still feels lucky to have survived the accident on September 1.
Police believe the object came off a flatbed truck with a New Holland round baler and hay raker on the back.
Photographs of the metal pole believed to have hit the Hilliers’ car were released by police, who are speaking to the driver of the truck.
The driver is believed to have contacted police, who are investigating the cause of the near-deadly accident.
Photographs of the metal pole (pictured) believed to have hit the Hilliers’ car were released by police
Police retrieved a large metal object (pictured) from the scene of the accident and are investigating