Dash cam footage has captured the moment a ute almost plunged head-on with a motorcyclist near Armidale on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident reportedly occurred near the Cathedral Rock National Park off the Wollomombi River bridge.
Truck driver Adrian Shortt uploaded the footage from his dash camera to Facebook, commenting on Facebook that the ute appeared to belong to the Rural Fire Service.
“It was a Rural Fire Service vehicle,” Mr Shortt said.
“I was doing 102km/h, with an overtaking lane 400 metres ahead coming off the Wollomombi River bridge.
“The footage doesn't show it but I was heavy under brakes as I weighed 48.5 tonnes.
“Managed to drop enough speed to get him around me but it did rattle me a bit.”
Fairfax Media spoke to Rural Fire Service Superintendent Steve Mepham on Thursday.
Mr Mepham said he was unable to comment on the incident.
“I’m not going to comment,” Mr Mepham said.
“We’ve got an internal process happening.”
Mr Shortt said the alleged Rural Fire Service vehicle was being followed by a second car, who apologised to the truck driver.
“Another Rural Fire Service vehicle following called me up on the UHF [speaker] and apologised for this blokes actions,” Mr Shortt said.
Apologies aside, Mr Shortt said it was definitely a close call for everyone involved.
“If I hadn't braked the guy would have collected him for sure,” Mr Shortt said.
The incident has been sparking anger online with residents commenting on the footage after it was uploaded to social media.
Armidale resident Lisa Heskett said the incident was an unacceptable example of dangerous driving.
“It may or may not have have been [an] emergency but this vehicle has no lights or sirens for the possible emergency,” Ms Heskett said.
“...No need for the complacency in this driver’s actions.”
“No wonder there are so many fatalities on our roads,” she said.
Armidale resident and motorbike enthusiast Simon Friedman said the driver should have known better.
“Should know better,” Mr Friedman said.
“...Overtaking on an unbroken line as well.”
“Only a kilometre further up the road there is an overtaking lane near the entrance to Wollomombi falls,” Mr Friedman said.
Kelly Bell also took to social media to express her concerns over the footage.
Ms Bell said the driver should “lose more than just his job.”
“That's terrifying… it’s so lucky the dude on the bike didn't swerve right off the road,” she said.
