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NEWS
Caravan rollover victims buy motorhome
Grey nomads survive caravan crash then opt for a more stable rigAs caravan-related accidents become more frequently reported in the news, a couple who survived the horrifying ordeal of flipping their towing rig has gone public with their story.
Writing in the Grey Nomad Times, Brenda Stone said she and her husband Ted had tried to do all the right things to avoid a caravan sway-related incident.
Before the rollover occurred earlier this year, they had fitted a Hayman Reece Levelling System and Clearview Mirrors to their brand new Isuzu MU-X and Retreat Caravan and taken time to become familiar with the new rig before setting off on their ‘trip of a lifetime’.
They weren’t lacking in towing experience either, with Ted an ex-truckie and current holder of a Heavy Vehicle driver licence while both had towed an extended double horse float in the past.
“Just a couple of kilometres before our accident on the Warrego Highway (in Queensland) on April 29 this year we stopped at the truck stop near the Bremer River to check everything was level and it was,” Brenda recalled.
“We were travelling in the left lane on the double-lane highway towards Toowoomba at not much over 80km/h going downhill when we hit a massive indent in the road where it had obviously been repaired (we checked it out the next day) and the caravan started swaying and took control until we ended up on our left side facing back towards the way we had come,” she said.
“It was a horrible feeling swaying from side to side and the actual rollover seemed to be in slow motion. Then, complete silence until all the wonderful people appeared to help us.”
The couple appreciated all the help from strangers, including a lady who put out a couple of chairs for them to sit on, and an off-duty paramedic who waited until the ambulance arrived.
“I take my hat off to them all. It certainly makes you proud to be an Aussie!”
Their labrador ‘Lizzie’ also survived thanks to the security of an Ezydog harness.
Shaken but not deterred, the couple decided to continue the grey nomad lifestyle, but with a motorhome rather than less predictable towing rig.
“With the unwavering love and support from our family, and just over two weeks after our rollover, we purchased a Jayco motorhome and are now on the road again,” she said.
“I am a bit of a nervous passenger but Ted, who is as cool as a cucumber, says I will feel better when I drive the motorhome myself. You could say that I am back in the saddle but haven’t actually picked up the reins yet.”
NOTE: The photo is not of the Stones' tow rig..
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Written byChris Fincham
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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