The truck fire at Todds Rd last Thursday. Photos courtesy Mid Murray Rural Fire Service.
Emergency services are urging caution on local roads after three potentially life-threatening incidents in one week across the district.
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Mid Murray Rural Fire Service firefighters were especially kept busy, attending two crashes and one truck fire.
In one crash, Tuesday last week at Noorong, a car rolled and caught fire after the driver swerved to avoid a kangaroo.
The incident was promptly attended by the local Gonn-Mellool volunteer NSW RFS brigade, who ensured the scene was safe and secure.
This was the second crash involving a roo firefighters have attended since May, when Mathoura’s brigade responded to a single vehicle accident on the Cobb Highway north of Mathoura.
And it was only two weeks ago, Mathoura local Tom Weyrich renewed calls for the government and relevant authorities to do more about the risk of kangaroos when he witnessed a young female driver collide with an already dead kangaroo in the middle of the highway between Deniliquin and Moama.
He said it is only sheer luck the woman was not severely injured or killed.
Mr Weyrich said if the authorities won’t pursue a cull to thin roo numbers, they must do more to take their carcasses off the road once they have been hit.
The Mid Murray RFS said the Noorong incident was “a timely reminder to stay alert when driving in rural areas, especially where wildlife is active”.
Murray River Police District Chief Inspector Michael Fuller echoed the warning, and said early morning, early evening and night conditions can be particularly challenging - especially in foggy and rainy conditions.
His warning extended to farm livestock.
“Travelling stock are grazing in some parts of the Murray River Police District,” he said.
‘There should be signage and drovers will be keeping an eye on their cows, but it’s something to keep in mind as you drive around the district.
“There’s also signage about areas with kangaroos being about, and it’s a fact of life in the bush that kangaroos move about and often cross the roads with little warning - resulting in crashes and injuries to the animals.
“Transport for New South Wales reports that one in every 41 crashes resulting in injury or death on country roads involves a vehicle hitting an animal.”
Mid Murray RFS firefighters also assisted with a crash in Moama on Saturday, with one car landing on its roof after a two-car collision.
Fortunately, no-one was seriously injured.
In addition to the Moama RFS, Moama Fire + Rescue, Ambulance Victoria and NSW Police attended.
Thursday last week, the Birganbigil and Wandook brigades leapt to action after reports of a truck fire on Todds Rd, Deniliquin about 8am.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a prime mover cabin fully engulfed in flames.
Thanks to the swift and coordinated efforts of the responding crews, the fire was successfully contained before it could spread to the vehicle’s fuel tanks.
The blaze was extinguished, and crews returned to station by 9.30am.
A critical factor in preventing further damage was the quick action of the truck’s driver, who detached the trailer and its load before the fire could reach them.
This decisive move helped avoid additional loss of equipment and ensured the safety of surrounding property.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
A car rolled and caught alight after hitting a kangaroo at Noorong.
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