The steel fragments on the side of the road on the M1.
Share and Follow

The boss of a transport company at the centre of a mammoth scrap metal spill on a busy NSW highway said the financial toll of the accident could be in the millions.
General manager of NJ Ashton Daniel Falconer said he has been overwhelmed with insurance claims from drivers who had their tyres shredded after the spill on the M1 motorway on the NSW Central Coast on Friday.

Falconer explained that while the majority of the nearly 800 claims appear to be legitimate, he warned some people are lodging “dodgy” claims.

The steel fragments on the side of the road on the M1.
The steel fragments on the side of the road on the M1. (Supplied/2GB)

“On Friday we were looking at three hundred to four hundred cars [damaged], but we worked out there was a lot of people we didn’t know about,” Falconer told 9news.com.au.

“A lot of people didn’t even know they had flat tyres until they came out of work.

“It’s probably going to [cost] closer to $2 million.”

Hundreds of cars were left damaged after metal debris was scattered across the M1 on Friday morning.

The mammoth clean-up closed the highway and resulted in gridlocked traffic.

Falconer said the truck driver involved has been pulled off the roads but is doing well after a stressful few days.

The debris has damaged hundreds of cars.
The debris has damaged hundreds of cars. (Supplied/2GB)
Truck debris M1
Falconer has fielded hundreds of calls from people who were left with flat tyres. (9News)

”He was stressed to the hilt, he’s been stressed for a few days, but we’ve him got in our yard doing some yard work,” he said.

It will take up to four weeks to investigate the cause of the crash.

The driver was travelling south on the M1 between Wyong and Mooney Mooney early on Friday morning when it happened.

Truck debris M1
The driver was travelling south on the M1 between Wyong and Mooney Mooney. (9N)

If it happened just one hour later during peak hour, Falconer said the damage could have been far worse.

Truck debris on the M1
It will take up to four weeks to investigate the cause of the crash. (9News)

He described the traffic impact on Friday as “crazy”.

“I’d never seen that many cars parked up on the side of the road in my entire life,” Falconer added.

Anyone who has suffered damage as a result should contact NJ Ashton, with the company’s insurance set to cover the costs.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Victoria unveils extensive changes following reported childcare abuse

This article contains references to child abuse. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has…

Michael Madsen, known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, passes away at the age of 67.

American actor Michael Madsen, who appeared in dozens of films including Reservoir…
Drive-by shooting leaves four dead and 14 wounded, police say

Tragic incident claims four lives with 14 others injured, police report

Four people have died from gunshot wounds and 14 others have been…
Jason Clare Today Show July 3, 2025

Government to speed up changes in childcare due to lack of progress

Education Minister Jason Clare tonight admitted he and other ministers had not…

Deceptive ‘ghost stores’ deceive Australian shoppers

Australians have been warned to stay alert for “ghost stores” as shoppers…
Putin and Trump discuss Iran and Ukraine in phone call, Kremlin says

Kremlin reports Putin and Trump talk about Iran and Ukraine over the phone

While discussing the situation around Iran, Putin emphasised the need to resolve…
Seven missing after fireworks warehouse explodes in US

Seven individuals unaccounted for following explosion at firework storage facility in the United States

Seven people are missing following an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in…
Government reaches deal on Olympic infrastructure funding

Authorities achieve significant goal before Brisbane 2032 Olympics

Queensland has reached an Olympic milestone, after the state and federal governments…