Gut-wrenching moment high-speed crash looked certain on Gwynedd road
Dramatic dashcam footage shows the horrifying moment "irresponsible" drivers came within inches of causing a major pile-up in Gwynedd[1]. Two cars overtook at speed on the A4212 as an approaching vehicle rounded a bend.
Its driver flashed the first overtaking car, an SUV. But they had no time to react when the second car, a hatchback, suddenly appeared just a few metres ahead.
A head-on collision was only narrowly avoided when the tailing car dived in front of a recovery truck
"I thought we were going to go three-abreast," said truck driver Jason Hardy. "This on a road not wide enough for three vehicles side by side! Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
"I was still looking at the first car, thinking, "you idiot" - I didn't even notice the second car until the final split second. My passenger was screaming." Get all the latest Gwynedd news[2] by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday
Jason, owner of Pwllheli[3]-based Hardy's Garage & Recovery, was towing a broken-down van on the 60mph road between Trawsfynydd[4] and Bala[5].
At the time of the near-miss, his truck was travelling at 48mph - below the 50mph limit for a 7.5-tonne vehicle.
"A campervan was following me, but not closely," he said. "From the speed at which the cars overtook me, it was obvious they hadn't been sat in a queue behind us. I'd been checking and I didn't see the cars until they were overtaking me." Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement
The truck's dashcam recorded a time of 5.12pm on Wednesday, April 1.
Making a note of the time, Jason later retrieved the footage from online storage and submitted it to North Wales Police[6].
At the last second the hatchback dives in front of Jason's recovery truck -Credit:Hardy's Garage & Recovery
(Hardy's Garage & Recovery)"The weather[7] conditions were poor and from the footage it was difficult to make out the cars' models and registrations," he said. "I was hoping the police would check CCTV in Bala to identify the cars involved.
"At the time I was angry with the two drivers - what they did was pretty irresponsible." Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now[8]
When the footage was later shared on social media, it elicited a mix of horror and outrage. Some said the incident was "absolutely shocking", one man shuddered: "Jezzzz that was close."
It was a close call of the oncoming driver who flashed at the overtaking SUV - little knowing a second car was following behind -Credit:Hardy's Garage & Recovery
Equally alarmed was a Gwynedd mum who wrote: "Omfg, that is hellish! What the devil is wrong with people?
I hope the police do something about this." Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Gwalia Garage, based in Caeathro near Caernarfon[9], said it was lucky no one was hurt, adding: "Unfortunately the standard of driving these days can be terrible at times."
A Dolgellau[10] man pointed out the road has a reputation for being dangerous. "I've been to many serious accidents on that road and sadly fatalities," he added.
Find out what's happening on the roads near you
References
- ^ Gwynedd (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ all the latest Gwynedd news (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Pwllheli (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Trawsfynydd (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Bala (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ North Wales Police (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ weather (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (uk.news.yahoo.com)
- ^ Caernarfon (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Dolgellau (www.dailypost.co.uk)