Princes Freeway Pothole Creates Highway Chaos
A single, treacherous pothole on the Princes Freeway at Nar Nar Goon, located approximately 60km southeast of Melbourne, created absolute chaos over the weekend, leaving dozens of cars instantly undriveable and at least 28 drivers stranded in dangerous conditions.
The hazardous cavity turned a major arterial route into an impromptu pit lane, with one vehicle after another falling victim to the damage. Heavy rain not only contributed to the initial incidents by obscuring the hazard but also dragged repair efforts into a second day.
‘Car After Car After Car’: A Driver’s Terrifying Ordeal
Bronwyn Drummond and her three children were just ten minutes from their Pakenham home when the drama unfolded. As the heavy rain set in, visibility dropped, making it nearly impossible to see the danger ahead.
"There was no avoiding it," Drummond recounted. "The car in front of me slammed its brakes on, my car’s flashing and I just pulled over." She described a scene of relentless carnage, stating, "You know, it was just car after car after car. Never seen that before." Her primary concern was for her children's safety, repeatedly telling them, "keep your seatbelts on."
Mechanics Swamped with Aftermath and Mounting Repair Bills
Local mechanics in Nar Nar Goon were inundated on Sunday, dealing with the extensive fallout. The pothole caused a range of severe damage, including:
- Flat tyres
- Bent and broken rims
- Damaged suspension components
While the Department of Transport assured motorists that the pothole would be fixed by the end of the day, the financial headache for drivers is just beginning. Bronwyn Drummond, who managed to get her family home safely, is now facing a repair bill she fears is unaffordable.
"Anywhere from about three, four grand just for this pothole," she said. "We’re going to have to find the money to pay for it. We don’t have it."
Affected drivers are encouraged to visit transport.vic.gov.au to apply for compensation for the damage incurred from this major road failure.
