A truck driver who was allegedly held at gunpoint and ordered to block a major highway with his truck has revealed he “calmed his nerves” after his terrifying experience in the time-honoured Australian tradition of having a few beers.
Dallas Beck was driving his semi-trailer along the Bruce Highway in Queensland on Wednesday when he was suddenly forced to stop by a man allegedly brandishing a gun.
Mr Beck was heading to Noosa to collect scrap metal when he noticed an SUV driver driving dangerously on the road.
The trucker said he then saw the driver of the vehicle in the middle of the road before the man flagged him down and allegedly pointed a gun at his truck.
The man allegedly ordered Mr Beck to block the road with his truck before he was told to get out of the vehicle.
Dallas Beck (pictured) said he decided to “calm his nerves” with a few cold drinks after a man allegedly hijacked his van on the Bruce Highway on Wednesday.
The incident sparked a wild police chase with around 20 vehicles and a helicopter deployed before Shaun Michael Roberts finally handed himself over to a negotiator two hours later.
The 39-year-old from Mountain Creek, near the Sunshine Coast, was arrested and charged with 14 offences, including armed robbery, possession of an illegal weapon and dangerous driving.
Beck, who was offered counseling after his terrifying experience, opted to take a cold.
“I had a couple of cold beers in mind to calm my nerves,” he said after describing his fear during the incident.
Mr Beck was allegedly ordered to block the road with his truck (pictured) after a man allegedly threatened him at gunpoint.
Earlier, dramatic dash cam footage captured the two-lane highway blocked by the truck.
The driver of the SUV was caught on camera driving erratically and at one point allegedly crossed onto the wrong side of the road and onto several median strips.
The man intervened between several motorists traveling in the opposite direction, causing chaotic scenes on the road.
Roberts allegedly led police on the chase from Doonan after officers were called to an address in Mountain Creek on Wednesday at 11:35 a.m. following reports of an alleged domestic violence-related incident.
Roberts was refused bail and appeared at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday.