A Close Call for a Spanish Road Agent
On July 18, 2026, a harrowing incident unfolded on the roads leading from France to Morocco, as a Spanish roadside assistance agent, Julián Torres, narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation while aiding a heavily loaded vehicle. With over two decades of experience in ensuring the safety and maintenance of Spanish highways, Torres recounted a particularly memorable event from 2008, which serves as a cautionary tale for all motorists.
During his service on the highway surveillance team, Torres received a call regarding a vehicle stranded on the roadside, an unfortunate occurrence for those making the lengthy journey between France and Morocco. The car, heavily laden and experiencing a tire blowout, required immediate assistance. With a commitment to helping others, Torres decided to lend a hand to the driver by replacing the flat tire using the vehicle's jack. However, he soon realized a critical error in judgment: he slipped underneath the car while it was supported solely by the jack, a decision that could have proven fatal.
As Torres worked diligently to assist, the jack suddenly failed, unable to bear the weight of the loaded vehicle. The car's suspension dropped abruptly, but fortunately, Torres managed to move out of harm's way just in time to avoid being crushed beneath the vehicle. His experience underscores a vital lesson about vehicle maintenance and safety precautions.
The Perils of Improper Tire Change Techniques
This incident serves as a stark reminder that no one should ever position themselves under a vehicle supported only by a jack, regardless of the car's weight. While jacks are designed to elevate vehicles temporarily for tasks such as tire changes, they do not provide a secure support system for working underneath. Factors like heavy loading can destabilize a vehicle and place excessive pressure on the jack, creating an inherently dangerous situation.
Before embarking on long journeys, particularly those heading towards Morocco, it is crucial for drivers to adhere to the maximum load limits, inspect tire conditions, and ensure that their emergency equipment is both suitable and reliable. In case of a tire blowout on a highway, passengers should prioritize their safety by moving behind the guardrail and alerting authorities. When conditions are unsafe for self-intervention, seeking professional assistance remains the safest course of action.
As reported by bladi.net.
