Truck overturned causes delay for students

Yesterday a semi trailer overturned on Mt Ousley Rd causing southbound gridlock traffic for over six hours.

The driver, a woman in her 40s, lost control of the vehicle causing a collision with another truck and hit the highway barrier after complications with brakes.

Both drivers were taken to hospital in a stable condition however the accident created traffic banked up to Darkes Forest till after 6:00pm and caused major delay for university students.

“I was able to get past just after midday but I was late for an assessment” said one third year student from the University of Wollongong. “We heard about the traffic on the radio and just went straight back home” said a group of students carpooling to UOW.

Carpooling is a popular option of transport for students of the University of Wollongong as many travel from northern suburbs such as Sydney or the Sutherland Shire and south such as Kiama. UOW offers free parking for those who carpool; an appealing incentive as it can cost up to $10 a day for students to park within the campus grounds.

Students travelling via the south coast train line have access to free council shuttle buses to and from the North Wollongong station and UOW campus. Travelling by train can avoid peak hour traffic however train tickets can become expensive for a full time student and the shuttle buses are often over-crowded. 


“Sometimes I have to wait for the second shuttle bus to arrive because not everyone can fit on the first morning bus from the station” said a UOW student waiting for the bus this morning.

The University urges students to leave their cars at home as there are limited parking spots available (see more information about parking at UOW here). Public transport can have its downfalls though can put a parents mind at ease and provide a safe option for young students not confident with the steep winding road of Mt Ousley Rd.