Getting Marcus Back in a Defender

In his words: “Feeling gutted. I was clipped by a boat on a trailer when the driver pulled across too early after overtaking me... My pride and joy is gone. I climbed out and walked away but I'm pretty sore and sorry… after many thousands of kilometres of journeys to some pretty remote places, many beautiful 'stick in your mind' memory places … my Defender is no more.”

The accident happened on the Bengworden Rd (Gippsland, Victoria), 600m south of the Hughes Rd intersection at 16:10 Hours on 1st of April (Easter Monday). The Defender left the road at 100km/hr and was airborne for nearly 30m, taking out only the top strand of a farmer’s wire fence. It landed heavily, bending both rear wheels and snapping the prop shaft off the rear diff. It then slid on the driver’s side for 15m before flipping 360°, bending every panel, and landing back on its wheels.

The other vehicle was a grey twin cab ute towing a tinnie with a grey outboard motor. It didn’t stop. Nor did his mate who was following with a caravan and would have seen what happened. However many others did stop to help, some reporting on their experience of the same vehicle driving erratically and passing on double lines. The police have some video footage, but not clear enough for identification.

A miraculous survival was evident, as when the police arrived they asked the ambos where the body was … to which Marcus replied “that would be me”. As the vehicle went over he released the steering wheel, crossed his arms over his chest, closed his eyes and said “Jesus take the wheel”. When a back door was jemmied open he walked away with only sore ribs from the seatbelt and a swollen right hand. Photos show how the snorkel on the driver’s door pillar supported the roof in the rollover. He spent the night in Sale Hospital for observation.

Marcus had a 45 year blemish-free driving record, with decades of experience as a professional driver, including the Australian Army (RAEME), buses and taxis, test driving of new 4WDs from Japanese and European manufacturers, advanced-level 4WD driver training with Mountain-Top Experience and leading tag-along trips throughout Australia as far as the Kimberley and Tasmania.

The challenge is to get Marcus back behind the wheel of a Defender. He is suffering vivid flashbacks, including triggering of PTSD from his military service. He is sad, sore and thankful, but needs to rest, recover and process this whole incident which has changed his plans for the future.

A replacement Defender 130 300Tdi would cost in excess of $20,000, but his insurance (CGU ‘market value’) has paid out only $11,400 after deduction of the excess ($800) and buy-back cost of the wreck ($300). So our dream is to purchase a low cost (1995~98) similar vehicle into which his salvaged vehicle parts can be transplanted. His friends, including the ‘Fallen 41’ military veterans are willing to help. The wreck has been taken to a Men’s Shed near Warragul (where Marcus lives) for dismantling.

Can you help? The funding shortfall is around $10,000 and donations will be matched $ for $ by Mountain-Top Experience. So a contribution totalling $5,000 from his friends and supporters through this Funding Page would make this dream possible.