The frantic triple-0 call from a Melbourne motorist whose cruise control jammed has been released.
Chase Weir can be heard screaming "Oh my God, Oh my God, I'm gonna die!" as he veered onto the wrong side of the road near the end of his hair-raising 30-minute ordeal through Melbourne's east.
Earlier, he can be heard becoming panicked as he attempts to slow the 2002 Ford Explorer.
The cruise control originally became stuck on 100km/h on the Eastern Freeway in Kew, with Mr Weir's attempts to brake having little effect.
"It slows down to about 80 and then the car just accelerates ... the brake pedal gets really hard to push," the 22-year-old says to the emergency operator.
The operator then asks him to turn off the engine.
"No, the key won't actually move," Mr Weir replies.
"I tried ringing Ford and they said the key wouldn't move."
He tried to switch the 4WD into neutral but he is heard saying on the tape "the button won't push in."
Triple-0 operator Sgt Marnie Goldsmith continually tries to keep the driver calm.
"Listen — we're on the freeway, there's no need to panic, Chase," Sgt Goldsmith says.
"I'm doing my best," Mr Weir replies.
A police escort had been attempting to clear a path for the out-of-control car as it hurtled down the Eastlink roadway.
But in the southeast suburb of Frankston banked-up cars near Monash University forced Weir into oncoming traffic.
"I just went onto the wrong side of the road!" he yells.
"I need you with all your strength to go on the brake, as well as the handbrake," Sgt Goldsmith orders as Mr Weir screams in the background.
A police officer on the scene can then be heard saying that he has finally stopped, half an hour and over 40km from where he first encountered difficulties.
Mr Weir has since been treated for shock and was today reunited with Sgt Goldsmith, who has been praised for her handling of the bizarre and frightening situation.
* But the bit i liked best about this story was the comment Chase made about the help of the police officer (who guided him by mobile phone)...
~I'm just glad i wasn't alone~
X:-)
3 comments:
oh what an experience. Was he in a Toyota? My husband's Avalon got recalled for the accelerator and floor mats or something. Then it got recalled for something in the oil thingamajiggy. He took it in and got it all replaced. Thank goodness no problems.
QMM
*all tearie*
I'm with Zom. *sniff* How scary for the poor man.x
Post a Comment