UPDATE: A single, hazardous pothole has caused chaos on the Princes Freeway near Nar Nar Goon, just 60 km southeast of Melbourne, stranding at least 28 drivers and leaving dozens of vehicles undriveable. The incident has turned the freeway into a scene of despair as heavy rain complicates the ongoing repairs, now dragging into a second day.
JUST IN: Drivers reported that visibility was nearly impossible due to torrential rain, with Bronwyn Drummond and her three children finding themselves just 10 minutes from their Pakenham home when disaster struck. “There was no avoiding it. The car in front of me slammed its brakes on, my car’s flashing and I just pulled over,” Drummond recounted. “You know, it was just car after car after car. Never seen that before.”
As mechanics in Nar Nar Goon work tirelessly on Sunday to address the aftermath, the damages range from flat tires to bent rims and compromised suspension components. The Department of Transport has assured motorists that the dangerous pothole will be fixed by the end of the day, but the impact on those affected is already severe.
Drummond expressed her distress over the financial burden this incident has placed on her family. “Anywhere from about 3,000 to 4,000 AUD just for this pothole. We’re going to have to find the money to pay for it. We don’t have it,” she lamented.
Motorists affected by the pothole can apply for compensation through the official website at transport.vic.gov.au. As recovery efforts continue, the community is left grappling with the repercussions of this unexpected highway nightmare.
Stay tuned for further updates as authorities work to restore safety on the Princes Freeway.
