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Barnetts Couriers raided following crash

The police inspected over 20 trucks owned by the company to check for vehicle safety defects

 

The New South Wales Police have raided the Wollongong-based headquarters of trucking company company Barnett’s Couriers following a fatal crash involving one of its trucks.

A team of the NSW’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Command inspected more than 20 trucks owned by the company to check for vehicle safety defects.

The move follows a fatal crash involving a truck linked with the company that led to the death of 67 year old woman in Sydney on Monday.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command chief inspector Phil Brooks says his team discovered multiple vehicle defects.

“Numerous trucks were inspected in addition to loading practices that were of concern,” Brooks says.

“There were various defects on the trucks, including crash damage, frayed seatbelts and other mechanical issues including lights that weren’t working on those trucks.

“As a result, one truck was grounded in the depot that had to be towed away for repairs.

“Other trucks were the subject of defects that specify a period of time for those trucks to be repaired.

“There were some significant issues in terms of loading practices, including boxes of detonators that were mixed in with another load and as a result of that police will be working with the EPA [Environment Protection Authority] and other agencies to determine the appropriateness of the how the company is loading their trucks.”

The company later clarified that the truck driver involved in Monday’s accident was a contract owner-driver employed by the company.

The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) says the company has a poor safety record and the raid came as the union highlighted its concerns.

 

 

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