Oh what a mess, just over the bridge at Cane river, we hit not one but 2 cows. One on my side came up on the bonnett, and all I could see was its big red body and legs right in my face. Happened so quickly. Thank God for seat belts. Then we came to a standstill, still partly on the road. Too my amazement I was ok !! Such a calm feeling came over me, till I realised the situation we were in. Chris went back to check the cows were off the road, and warn a roadtrain that was not far behind us. Then panic set in as I had to try and organise a tow truck to get us off the road. Lucky help came with a young chap who already had a breakdown in tow, but said he could hook us up as well and drag us to a safer place down the road. So safe in a pull off area we gave up on trying to get help that night and went to bed. With Chris experience in driving roadtrains, he managed to hold the vehicles steady, and so no damage was done to the van. Lucky he didn’t swerve as there was about a 40 foot drop off, either side of the road where it happened
The next morning the damage was evident. The red Triton had met its fate the same as the 2 cows. Chris rang Mitsubishi Pilbara, in Karratha, to see what they had. Before we knew it Martin, the owner, was offering us a place to stay and a loan car till we got sorted. Insurance company arranged towing to Karratha, some 300 kms away. Just as well we had phone service.
A couple of cows from the herd still about to cross the road. So many feeding on the roads now after the little rain they had.
Our loan vehicle was a top of the range new Triton, very nice. The tow truck driver dropped the van off in the Caravan park and helped us get our stuff out of the red one. It was like sideshow alley when we arrived, people came out of their vans from everywhere, some offering cups of tea, others taking their dogs for a walk[ just to sticky beak] haha. we were given a good spot at the end of a row and looking out into the hills. by nightfall 24 hrs after the accident we were all good for a few days Rand R and think about whats next.
We decided on a new Triton, Karratha had one in stock, so I had the choice of silver or silver, if we wanted to get back on road sooner than later. next it was in the workshop and Chris was able do fit it all out there . They were so good to us.
Obviously he new what he was doing as by the end of the week we were all wired up with tow bar and cameras,and ready to get on road again. A bit of a blip but all is good . One more night in the van park and we were heading for Port Hedland.
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