A routine drive through a roadworks area in Northern Ireland turned dangerous on March 12, 2024, when a large piece of construction equipment broke loose and struck a passing car on Shore Road in Newtownabbey, just outside Belfast. Dashcam footage of the moment quickly circulated online.
Caught on Camera
The footage shows a car moving slowly through a work zone when a large object suddenly launches across the site and strikes the vehicle with enough force to dislodge the dashcam itself. Despite the impact, the occupants of the car were not seriously injured.
Wrecking Ball flies into a car (12/03/2024) Ireland
byu/Proud_Bell_6879 inCatastrophicFailure
Not a Wrecking Ball, Company Says
The dramatic footage led many online viewers to assume the object was a wrecking ball. Phoenix Energy, the company overseeing the work site, clarified that the object was actually rubber testing equipment used for reinforcement work, not construction demolition equipment.
Investigation Underway
Phoenix Energy said its contractors have been in contact with those involved in the incident, and that an investigation into how the equipment came loose is ongoing. Local authorities and regulators have also been made aware of the incident.
A Reminder of Roadwork Risks
Incidents like this are rare, but they highlight the unpredictable risks drivers can face near active construction zones. In this case, the outcome could have been far more serious, and the occupants’ lack of injury was as much a matter of fortune as anything else.