CARAVAN COUPLE IN SHOCK
A RETIRED Townsville couple were meant to embark on their final caravan trip across Australia yesterday, but they have been left shattered after a “horrible and opportunistic” carjacking.
David and Anne Bent were preparing their beloved caravan for their final journey to Victoria after selling it to new owners.
Mr Bent was attaching the caravan to the couple’s Toyota Landcruiser at their Belgian Gardens home when a young juvenile jumped in the vehicle and took off.
The incident happened just before
8.30am, with the Landcruiser only going 30m along Hooper St before rolling as it turned into Primrose St.
Mrs Bent said it was lucky her husband wasn’t seriously injured.
“He’d only attached one chain and was behind the vehicle when someone jumped into the driver’s seat and drove it off,” Mrs Bent said.
“David thankfully jumped out of the way of the caravan.
“I asked him how he was and he said he was shocked but OK. He’s pretty shattered, we’re both pretty shattered.”
Witnesses said the juvenile, who was wearing a mask and gloves, “floored it” as he took off, with the caravan rolling sideways almost instantly.
“I don’t think they knew it was attached to the caravan,” Mrs Bent said.
“It didn’t go far but the caravan has been dragged on its side.
“He jumped out and was picked up by the vehicle (believed to be a Ford Focus) that had presumably just dropped him off.
“I came out of the house after hearing the noise. It’s just a shocking, brazen, horrible, opportunistic event.”