A Yarraman man got a shock on Tuesday evening when his ute was hit by a rock along the Moree bypass.
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Andrew Mack was heading north along the Moree bypass on his way home from work at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 9 when a rock the size of a fist came out of nowhere and landed on his ute.
“I was heading north on the bypass and was just on the southside of the bride. A truck was coming towards me and just as it gets to me I see a rock coming over the top of the truck; I caught a glimpse of it and then it landed onto my bonnet and bounced up and smashed my windscreen,” he said.
Mr Mack was unable to stop immediately as he was in the middle of the bridge, and by the time he turned around the culprit/s had gone.
Although the rock dented the bonnet and smashed the windscreen of Mr Mack’s ute, he said he was lucky it didn’t land in the middle of the windscreen or it would have gone right through.
“The good thing is it’s only an old ute,” Mr Mack said.
“But that’s not the issue; it’s a dangerous thing for the town, no-one wants to come here anymore.”
What is particularly concering to Mr Mack is the “silly” dirt noise mound on the eastern side of the bypass, which he believes provides a convenient vantage point and hiding spot for rock-throwers.
“It’s dangerous because it gives them a place to hide,” he said. “It’s too easy to climb.”
While rock-throwing along the bypass continues to be a regular occurrence, Barwon Local Area Command crime manager, Detective Inspector David Silversides said police are continuing to work with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) and council to address the issue.
“We’ve entered criminal proceedings on a number of people who’ve been caught throwing rocks and infringements have been issued to people for entering the rail corridor,” he said.
“It’s still an ongoing issue that we’re aware of and we’re continuing to task police in that area and work with the community.”
Detective Inspector Silversides said police, with the support of council, RMS and ARTC, are planning to run an education program in local schools this year to provide children information on the dangers of rock-throwing and the repercussions if caught.
“Throwing rocks is an extremely dangerous offence; it puts the public at risk, road users at risk and offenders at risk,” he said.
Detective Inspector Silversides said police rely on information from the community to assist them with their inquiries.
“We will continue to work in that bypass/rail corridor area to address the situation and call for information from the community, particularly if they have information that could assist with criminal prosecutions,” he said.
The public is encouraged to report all incidents to Moree police on 6757 0799.