Almost Fatal

Rocket sits down to get to know Cameraman Craig discussing the time he was almost killed when his car was crushed by a falling tree.
Check out his KZbin channel - / @tmemy4wd

[@BradGryphonn]

Man, that was so close to tragedy, and mate, that was a huge chunk of tree! You did what all good dads do though. Making sure your grommet is safe and knows it's all good. 9:45 I used to work for the original Cooktown bus service around 2011/2. We ran everything from 8/10 seat Hiaces to 22-seat Coasters, and a couple of 4WD busses, a Delica, and a big Hino(?) 4x4. Anyway, I drove a Coaster down the Bloomfield track from Cooktown to the workshop in Cairns because it needed a service, and was given an 8-seat Hiace with new brakes and tyres to run back up to home at Bloomfield, on the other end of the Bloomfield Track ... It's about a 200km run, along a winding coastal highway, through towns, across a ferry, and up some super steep dirt hills on The track. Then the winding drive to Bloomfield from Wujal Wujal, and onto my windy, hilly dirt road for about four kilometres. About 300 metres from home just as went over a rise and started to slow for the last sharp left before home, the rear passenger side wheel and brake drum fell off. Thankfully, I was doing about 20km/h, and not 70km/h around a bend on the Capt Cook Highway, or heading up or down those steep inclines on The Track. And both of us can thank the tyres gods that it wasn't a front wheel I guess...

[@aaronhall1114]

What I love the most, is the composure from you, assuring your daughters that it’s all ok. Well done mate. Also amazing the other people there who ran to your aid. Great job ensuring your girls were safe

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Always my number one concern!

[@jayodon67]

Bloody hell, I'm happy to hear you and your family are safe! We were driving between Busselton and Margaret River and our back passenger wheel came off at 100km/h but we weren't driving on a straight road, we were going over a big hill that was turning off to the right. I heard a bang and the car instantly ripped over to the right, I corrected to the left just in time to see our wheel flying through the air, either side of the road were drains lined with stone and around 2m deep and large trees. I managed to over-correct again to the right, then left, then the car did a 180° turn and we slid backwards for 50m or so and came to a stop in the middle of the road. I instantly remembered the road was a 100km/h speed limit and where we were stopped was around a blind bend. Luckily a car behind us seen what happened so after checking on us he went back to the top of the hill to warn other drivers while another driver went to the bottom of the hill to do the same. A kind citizen helped me put our spare on, but we only had 3 out of the 5 wheel studs still in place so it was a long, slow, silent drive to Margaret River. It was only when we were safe at home that we both realised how close to dying we were along with our 5yo daughter.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

A scary experience. One I never want to experience again!!! Glad you were safe

[@phillnagorcka9761]

The scary story for me was we were travelling along a highway just out of Melbourne when lightning struck a fence post less than 10 meters away. Scared the family in the car and the dog in th back. Was close enough to set off all the warning lights in the dash. No harm done other than the fence post exploded.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Wow that would be scary!

[@BradGryphonn]

Oh, I just remembered another scary time. In the late 70s, driving a mate's HT Holden with four of us in it down the range from Mapleton to Landsborough in Queensland. Of course, being a teenager, as teenage drivers tend to do, I was driving it close to the edge of its and my capabilities...and the left rear wheel deflated as I entered a tight right-hander. The rear end just lay over sideways and decided it didn't want to be following the front anymore. I just managed to back off and correct it before we hit the dirt and rail. We were only a third the way down the range and that side was a tad steep...I can only thank my father teaching me when I was about ten years old what to do if you get into a bad slide or hairy situation, "Back off gently and regain control, don't jump on the picks or you'll lose it completely".

[@AllTerrainAction]

Damn close one mate, scary stuff that I always worry when it’s super windy and we are camping you just don’t know. I can’t believe you decision to move slightly forward is what saved you guys 😮 good to see you’re still with us.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Wasn't even that windy... just a single gust!!!

[@AllTerrainAction]

@@WholesaleAutomatics sometimes that’s all it takes, nature is a beautiful thing you learn to love when in the high country but heck it can bring a violent situation like no other out of no where.

[@einfelder8262]

Was camped by the big waterhole on the Wonnangatta track just down from Herne Spur track. I use a Companion easy up tent, about 3am a massive wind storm blew in, flattened the tent to ground level. I was cosied up inside a mummy style sleeping bag which is hard to get out of at the best of times, but this time I had the tent flat out on my head. Thoughts of being blown into the river before I could unzip the sleeping bag, the tent, and get out, plus the fear of a branch wiping me out was very scary. Fortunately I was able to get out, pack it up a bit, and get into the car just before it pissed with rain. Two mates in swags were noticeable by their reluctance to help..... The rest of the night was still a worry about a possible tree branch but I felt safer in the car than they would have been in their swags on that front. Next morning's trip into Wonnangatta and out through Zeka Spur was uneventful, except we pulled some idiots out of watery ruts with snatch straps on recovery hitches. They were trying to snatch with a tow rope on their towball...........

[@nathangeorgey7384]

Didnt loose my car and camper, but it felt close. Heading towards Lovick's Hut on Bluff track. Camper drawbar bottomed out on a hump in the track and that was that.. the more I tried to self recover with all techniques I know, the closer I got to the drop off (wet black soil is evil). My winch pulling me forward with the guy behind me running a pully block off a tree and back across to my camper to pull the whole program back to safety.. had me concerned, my dad was beside himself, unsure how to assist. Travelling with a club, there were 6 or 7 members pitching in too. Good outcome 👍

[@milliefalitawerz5924]

Love the Toyota fire pit

[@stevjosco.adventures]

No matter how many times I see this video or talk to Craig about it, it still scares the crap out of me.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

me too Steve, me too

[@cjaussienerfer8169]

That’s terrifying to see such rare odds to happen, but always great to hear no one seriously hurt aside shaken nerves and a headache. I do have one of mine own scary moment when my mate nearly bounced his rig onto its side to a tree, yes bounced. This was my first actual day ever to track in my XLT ranger and my mate (been far experienced bush bashing in a commodore) was leading in his courier in lerderberg. The last track he were hitting was far longer than he estimated and we were pressured to complete it as light was fading fast (bad idea). The last segment of the track involved two bypasses left to right mud bogs, with a rooted section in the middle. My mate been first got through the first part fine but as he just cleared it hit the root in the middle as he was turning into the next section. I can tell ya I was in fear as I watched my mate, by all forms of luck, not land it on its side and drive on two wheels. Unfortunately it did force him into some deep (and submerged) ruts but it was a far better outcome than a courier on its side, roof caved by the tree.

[@jimbojones2457]

The most important thing about camping in this country. Trees! I was camping with mates up at the Murray River and we were sitting by the campfire at night and we heard this loud cracking. A massive gum tree branch just decided it didn't want to be part of the tree anymore. And don't think you need wind for branches or trees to fall. Gum trees naturally shed. This night was dead still. Lucky the branch was just off the spot from where my mate was camped. The branch was almost as big as the one in this video. People camping nearby rushed over to see if anyone was hurt. I love our camping culture in this country. When someone needs help, we help! I was happy in a way as i fired up the Husky and had amazing firewood for nights after that!! I never ever camp under big trees. Only very small ones that when i look at it i ask myself, if this fell would it hurt? If the answer is yes, i move.Take it easy folks!

[@jasmin-mae506]

Fuck that fireplace is sick! Also glad everyone is safe :)

[@effkay3691]

Bloody eucalyptus Just saw this and have been camping at running creek for years

[@paulboon1100]

Wow, too close for comfort that one, glad no one got hurt though, thank God for that, someone looking after you both there!

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

We were certainly very lucky

[@deerslayinredneck1003]

Happy every one was okay. My scary story is from when I was in elementary and my brother was in high school. So me, my brother (driver), and cousin were head to school one morning in our dad's new to him 90s 4x4 chevy truck. The driver side tie rod breaks at 50 mph. We go to the left side of the road into a ditch then come back up and back to the other side of the road and hit the ditch thank the lord above that the brush bar made that truck spin as it was rolling so we landed in the ditch and not flat in the field because that would have crushed us all. Still at 26 I carry scars from that day on my knees and my chest where the hard plastic floor mat came up and cut my chest. This took place in 06 or 07.

[@lloydunger2149]

I did a clutch master cylinder in robe south Australia on the sand dunes about 45 minutes from robe in such remote spot and was 7 hours from home had to rev match gears all the way home

[@xavierdhotman7100]

That is a terrifying incident, good to know everyone is safe after all of that. Makes me realise my accident I had a few years back was nowhere near as scary as this. The incident I was in my suzuki jimny and was hit by a toyta hiace/quantum just behind the drivers door, the hiace was doing atleast 70km/h if not a little more on impact I was surprised I didn't end up on my lid, amazingly I had no injuries so I got very lucky.

[@answers1st]

Had a tree fall on us at echuca but the worst was blowing a brake line on our ram 1500 up the back of Mount Stirling which resulted in myself and 2 kids going backwards down a snotty track stuck in reverse without brakes. Thank fully we didn't roll it but 50g in damage and a moment ill never forget.

[@dean070880]

WOW, that was hard to watch. Glad you were all OK.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Took me a long time before I could watch it, Jess still won’t watch it!!

[@overlandready]

A few years back went up to NW Scotland, did a day off road on permissive land, guided and mostly peaty and boggy all in torential rain, few recoveries and lots of fun! Got back to site to find partially collapssd tent and about 3-4 inches of water inside, soaked bed and pretty much everything! Did we let that spoil the day, no! Site had driers and 7 cycles later bed was good again, food in pub as no one wanted to cook! Ps a fair run of Whiskys too! 😁

[@Lee-astrololee]

It's every camper's nightmare, falling trees, no matter how far you think you are camped away from them buggers, they are out to getcha! So glad noone was seriously injured although I am sure the 2nd daughter still has reservations about this day and camping in general! I seriously think instinct may have just saved you that day but it could have so totally went the other way, fkn scary!

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Yes she has reservations.... still won't even watch the video of that day

[@Lee-astrololee]

@@WholesaleAutomatics I am not surprised but it is such a shame she no longer camps, which is such a great experience for a family!

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday, that’s very a bit close for comfort, extremely lucky, it goes to show that gums can fall to bits at anytime, thanks for sharing mate, cheers

[@DTGTDetectingTheGoldenTriangle]

For the wheel to fall off at least 3 of the 5 wheel studs where to tight stretching the threads or most likely to loose .2 wheel studs can get you home

[@SuperchargedSupercharged]

Thank you for sharing. I do hope some day she will change her mind and go camping with you in the future. So sad.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

I hope so too

[@nicksims168]

Wow! It’s like that movie, final destination!

[@bikerssupportingcountrytow6904]

In 2005 I had a 60 series. I lived in Camira I got in contact with Lindsay from linquip an arranged a 6.5 Chevy diesel to go in other the bonnet. 4 weeks after getting the 4WD also fitted with front and rear lockers so excited to go to Landcruiser Mountain Park where they call a pig pen 4 testing . My daughter and I was just testing the car nothing stupid of any sort. My daughter Samantha age 11. As we were driving through the pigpen testing flexibility and everything I hit a small stump this made my foot webhard between the accelerator and the panel. Yes you guessed it 827 Newton metres of torque Unleashed and now we are doing a massive wheel stand there was that much torque from the engine it spun the whole vehicle around on the two spare wheels when it's stopped we landed on our roof thank God I had a cargo barrier and a full-length Opposite Lock roof rack which was full length. The car was a ride off. Kilcoy turning came out to collect us and take us back to Camira the time the accident happened 10:30 a.m. 7 p.m. the tow truck turns up and takes us back to Camira but this time it's nearly midnight. And you guessed it we turned it into a ute and it wasn't the first 60 series ute to be modified it was actually the second one bye snowy Sumner Park spray painting but we were lucky to be alive if it wasn't for the protective gear we had.

[@DTGTDetectingTheGoldenTriangle]

This is why I don't where head phones detecting. Glade everyone was ok 👍

[@theworkshopmechanicchannel3296]

I was waiting for someone to walk out with a set of steak knives 😂

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

maybe next time

[@michaelbeattie6953]

far out dude that was pretty full on!

[@Stephenja]

G'day guys. Glad to see you survived.

[@onedayatatime4232]

Wow... so lucky it could of gone south real quick. Glad all was safe. Cars can be replaced.

[@any4wd]

Wow what a lucky escape! So amazing that no one got hurt. Can not believe that you could still drive it out & then the wheel 😮

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Yes but I didn't say it drove well.....

[@any4wd]

@@WholesaleAutomatics 😂I'm sure it still drove better than some other models

[@6226superhurricane]

i was camping with a group of friends for the weekend probably about 8 vehicles, been 4wdriving all weekend almost everyone left on sunday afternoon bar 3 of us in two vehicles that were staying an extra night. it was bright and sunny all day, then we could hear a roaring sound behind the mountain like a jumbo jet getting louder and louder. it got dark immediately started to spit rain and we realized the roaring sound was wind as it was picking up fast so the couple i was there with and myself quickly started putting stuff away and decided to go to our tents. the couple ran inside their tent but i was still chucking my chair and things in the 4wd. then it got extremely windy dirt, sticks and leaves were flying around filling the air so i abandoned going to the tent and just jumped in the 4wd. i look up at the top of the mountain and see the tops of huge gum trees getting snapped off halfway and blowing down the mountain like lawn darts snapping off other trees and bringing them down. the noise was deafening. a tree in the campsite was uprooted and came crashing down right were a mate had his 4wd and camper parked until about an hour before. i looked at my tent and a branch about 150mm thick just flattened it completely. we only got a couple of minutes warning it was coming and it only lasted about 15 mins but the aftermath was insane the tracks in every direction were covered in big fallen trees one after the other we were lucky we both had locked wranglers on 35's because we had to drive over or around dozens of trees some of them over 1 metre in diameter. and to make it worse the bridge was out the first way we went. couldn't get out the second way due to most of the trees being suspended off the ground. took us all the next day to go about 5km where the road was clear and after that nothing was out of place it only hit where we were in a localized down burst.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Wow, that would have been an adventure! Scary!

[@6226superhurricane]

@@WholesaleAutomatics never seen nothing like it. trees like the one in this video flying through the air snapping off other trees on the way through.

[@matthewhill2467]

Struth mate.. We've had a tree come down onto our Cat 9 (Landcruiser ute) while patrolling a fire overnight. Would have been around 2 or 3 am. Shakes you for sure and makes sure you're awake. 3 feet to the left and we'd have been kaput.

[@stephenlatimer1428]

pleased all well. devo on the choc dudes. thought that was Pat from Aussie Arvos.

[@shanevonharten3100]

That's one hell of a day, but all safe is the main thing

[@Ckktopa]

Luck was on your side. What an experience

[@yamumatittys]

That was so close

[@mercyrx3455]

The scariest for me was when I was a kid, we used to head up to Fraser Island from Melbourne over Xmas. 1 year we woke up in the middle of the night to a bushfire right behind our camping spot in this was before Mobile phones ( late 80s I think) so we had to race up to happy valley to raise the alarm.

[@bradalexander63]

Don't Kill Craig!

[@garyneal7098]

Holy shit that's scary. Glad to see the Aussie arvos boys were there to help

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Haha, yea Patrick keeps brining it up when he camps at Howqua. We had a good laugh about it at the Melbourne Show.

[@garyneal7098]

Haha, he probably planned the whole thing just so he could get a shout out on another channel. I'm just glad everybody is ok.

[@raymondbarry1516]

My oh f**k moment was travelling at 100km/h down the highway and the right side of my tie rod fell off. I veered off the left side of the road and down a small embankment then up a dirt mound almost rolling it. Luckily I didn’t veer right cause there was a 4wd with a caravan and a semi coming the opposite direction.

[@rjl110919581]

A FALLING TREE ON THE SIDE OF OLYMPIC HIGHWAY BETWEEN WAGG WAGG NSW AND HENTY NSW BACK IN 2019 TAKE SIDE RIGHT OFF THE DOOR ON THE AUMMILLA BOX ON MY 4X4 TRUCK AS STOP SIDE HIGHWAY REST AFTER A LOT OF BAD STROM IN THE AREA KNOW LUCK ALL CAME SAFETY FROM THAT AS WISH BEST SAFETY AND GOOD HEARTH IN FURTHER TRIP

[@kennyhardknocks5183]

Long time ago 1974 while on P’s driving down a steep decent one and half car length wide road with water sipping onto it, hence a very slippery road. My car a HR station wagon slid of the road and travel 20 meters down hill hitting trees and finally resting on one. The HR was written off every panel Bashed in. If I had came off a further 40 meters down the road we would have died. It was a 200m drop onto rocks. In the car at the time 2 mates and 2 girls and myself. No seat belts in the back just a mattress. No one was injured in the accident we were extremely fortunate to survive.

[@kw5732]

Cool story. Glad you're all okay.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Thank you!

[@Brgnalf81]

Damn. I didn't see that one coming. Interesting, the car was basically ok.

[@johnharrower3632]

I have quit a few but this one was when the wife & me first started 4x4 driving, we went on a day trip with 4x4 trips & during the day we did about 4 different track & it was about 2.30 3 o’clock & the leader said we will just do one last track; mind you this was supposed to be a trip for beginners. So we start the track & it had been raining , at one stage I slide down the side of a hill , luckily not to far & was stopped by a tree stump which took out my side step. Now I have rock sliders. I winched back onto the track . There was I think about eight vehicles on the trip. We where all getting bogged & you couldn’t go back , there was a massive hill in front with rock jump ups & trees hanging over the track . My winch had destroyed itself & by the time I got out at about midnight the leaders wife came up to me & asked my wife if we could take her home , she said she had had enough of her husband for one day . But now we know more & have even driver the Carlson track. It was a easier than when you did it.

[@pantherdean84]

I did a flywheel in the middle of the Simpson, not dangerous because I was with someone else and we had comms, but furthest from everywhere and very annoying

[@johnhannonHanno]

Ex. Grass parrot, Shoalwater Bay. Feb 1968. My first major excercise I was riding in a APC and we hit a dead tree, everyone ducked but the tree hit me on the head. It was so wet we choppered the guns out and had to push the rovers out. Sometimes we go 20 metres and thought it was a victory meanwhile I had my head bandaged.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Ouch!

[@mickhutterer9105]

Its normally the driver who gets the smack in the forehead or a broken nose in an APC not the passenger :) the military always forges ahead

[@johnhannonHanno]

WOW!!!!!!!

[@AllTerrainAction]

Ah.. close calls. We thought we were in trouble once upon time in the Adventra going down the west side of Burgoynes Track towards McAllister river we heard a bunch of air start leaking from our rear in the rutty holey hill section that well you just wouldn’t want to have to stop right by a drop that if you screw up your dead pretty much, convinced it was rear tire puncture as we began to start contacting all the terrain but later discovered once we got to a flat spot it was our rear air suspension disconnecting from the system causing rear pressure drop not as drastic as it sounds, but when you’re in those situations … you just don’t always know what to do and decisions can quickly impact the outcome.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

I remember doing that track just after going up Trig Track and losing a bolt on the sway bar. Damn thing was banging around and was a scary descent! I feel your pain!!

[@einfelder8262]

WTF??? An Adventra on that track? Find that hard to believe, because you have to either turn around and go back out the west side (very rocky)or cross the river and go out towards the Licola road (very rocky). I don't see how an Adventra could do that track.

[@outbackranga9808]

Nearly rolled my Dad's daily driver at Mt Disappointment. Scared me to death when I saw the car nearly roll.😬

[@ronbeurs208]

You can always replace the car good to see that both of you came out with only a scare now spot running over black cats

[@mickhutterer9105]

Jeez incredibly lucky to walk away unscathed thankfully. You asked for a camping malfunction. We had a collapsible toilet three quarters of the screws fell out with the track bouncing around I assume. When I used it the top collapsed, I fell through the seat, and the whole assembly fell sideways and I landed in the red dirt of the Simpson pants around my knees😫.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

OMG!

[@einfelder8262]

Hopefully before the job started.......

[@mickhutterer9105]

@@einfelder8262 no just before thank the heavens it would have been messy....

[@tezreb]

Back in 08 I was down the rive camping I had a tree fall and hit me I broke 2 vertebrae’s up the top of my back . Done my right shoulder and broke a heap of ribs on the right side

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Ouch!

[@shangrilai1990]

Well mate that was some of the best and worst luck I have seen. Glad everyone is OK. As for my story I was having a campfire in the back yard with my brother and started running low on fuel. Jumped on the pushy to head to the best mates place and pinch a few logs to keep the night going. Wouldn't you know, along the way I got hit off my bike by someone rolling through a stop sign, rolled over the bonnet, broke my knee and a couple ribs. Worst part was leaving the hospital at 2am at the beginning of winter with cut up shirt and pants, mate that was a cold and wet trip home.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Nasty! would have been cold and bet there was no fire left either!!

[@scottanstey8445]

if she had to go to the bathroom before she didn't have to after that. Glad you two walked away from it.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Funny thing is she never actually ended up going!!

[@jc7654]

and that's why you don't camp under a gum tree, they can drop off their limbs at any time, very lucky,

[@russellbailey2148]

Thank goodness no one was hurt! You mate are a cool guy! Scary stuff guys! Talk about close !and who said hilux is unbrakeable ? Mother Nature put that to the sword ? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

While the back was crushed, the HiLux did dive (slowly) out to the road....

[@wayneclark9211]

Sure was a close call. What was the story with insurance.

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Insurance wrote the car off. The payout was enough to clear the debt but not enough to replace the car 😒

[@colandfathead9044]

Sorry I can't top that

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

Very lucky to walk away from that tree! If it landed on the cab you all would have been killed

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

For sure!

[@robdotcom71]

Thoughts and prayers for the Lindt choccies.... on a serious note though they are so damn lucky.... and on a less seriious note (again..) lucky there wasn't a koala in that branch.... #savethedropbearsfortourists

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

I do still miss that lost Lindt chocolate

[@tonyhadenough2574]

More like it was a Limb, not a Branch

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Actually it was a trunk. Tree snapped in half about 10m up!

[@tonyhadenough2574]

@@WholesaleAutomatics oh wow, hope everyone was ok. I use to love watching all you guys on 4x4 24/7. I still watch it now

[@brandonfleming8780]

That's what was meant to happen. Think if that tree didn't fall your wife would have been driving and probably flipped when the wheel fell off because it didn't have the extra weight or may not be as experienced a driver. Then you would have lost 1/2 your family and wouldn't have known til 4 days later. God was looking out for you and your family!!!

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

Interesting Theory! Or maybe the wheel would have come off in a remote and crazy steep part of the vic high country over the coming week.... that would have been worse!!

[@jacksonwelch9870]

This is why I hate roof top tents and sleep as low to the ground as possible Close to ten years ago now camping on the edge of the Murray where trees are unavoidable A tree fell and crushed a caravan with a family inside it in the middle of the night Fortunately they all survived though the mum was significantly injured But imagine if they were in a rooftop tent

[@grahameroberts8109]

You can’t live wrapped in cotton wool!

[@Madmarty101]

My scarey close call was when I put my 4wd on its side wheel out at nerum vic. Was a complet wrong line choice and layed her down. Why it funny now to call it a close call because the only damage I did was brake my mirror. If ya wanna see a video or pics I can send throw

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

At least you can laugh about it now!

[@malcolmellis9654]

drive it out....lmao...only in a Toyota 🤠

[@WholesaleAutomatics]

100%

[@radod6147]

you have a second life

[@AllTerrainAction]

Yeah that’s probably a great way to put it.