For many of us, a quick trip to the drive-through for a morning coffee is an uneventful part of our daily routine. It’s a convenient way to grab a caffeine fix without the hassle of parking and queuing inside. But for Madison Andonovski, a seemingly ordinary coffee run at a McDonald’s in Epping, north Melbourne, escalated into a harrowing ordeal that left her fearing for her life.
Madison’s Monday morning started like any other, with a simple desire for a caramel latte. However, as she collected her coffee and prepared to leave the drive-through, the unexpected happened.
A jingling noise caught her attention. It was growing louder and closer like coins being shaken by hand. Through her side mirror, she said she spotted a man in a black hoodie, grey track pants, a bum bag, and striking fluorescent shoes sprinting towards her car.
‘My windows were down. So I was like, “oh f***.” [I] put my window back up, and I quickly double-checked that my car doors were locked even though they’re automatic,’ she recounted her experience on a social media video.
As the man reached her vehicle, she made the split-second decision to floor it, darting through the McDonald’s car park and into an adjacent petrol station, only to be met with oncoming traffic on the main road.
Trapped and with no way to escape, she recalled keeping a vigilant eye on her side mirror, watching as the alleged would-be carjacker resumed his pursuit. He reached her car, pulling at the door handle with such force that Madison felt she had no choice but to take a desperate gamble. She accelerated into the oncoming traffic, narrowly avoiding a collision with a semi-truck.
@madisonandonovski
just wanted my morning caffeine, but the man who tried to car jack me had other plans 🚗 🥲 🤟🏽 #fyp#storytime#foryou#monday#mondaymorning#trending
‘Upon reflection, I could have reversed backwards, or just let him hold onto the handle until there was [a] clear way for me [to] drive through, but in [that] moment I just wanted to get away from him because I was petrified of him breaking my window and it was just my automatic response to run from the danger not thinking about the danger I could cause to others and myself,’ she wrote in response to a commenter who said ‘running a red is more dangerous.’
‘[I’ve] never been in this position before so I [wasn’t] really prepared to think before I did.’
Madison said the incident left her shaken, and she expressed disbelief that no one at the busy intersection intervened or allowed her to merge safely to evade her pursuer. Her experience is a stark reminder of the vulnerability we can face, even in the most mundane of settings.
Her ordeal has struck a chord with many social media users, who shared their own frightening experiences of attempted carjackings and aggressive behaviour on Australian roads. From car park confrontations to traffic light terrors, these stories highlight a concerning trend that can happen to anyone, anywhere.
‘That happened to me in the KFC car park in Mill Park. Some guy was pulling on my door handles,’ wrote one commenter.
‘I work in aged care in the Northern suburbs (not going to say exactly where) but a couple [of] years ago, we had someone just standing outside the doors at like 1 am on a Tuesday. It was so creepy. He didn’t leave for like 15 minutes and the amount of times I’d be outside the front door having a [cigarette] and the same car would pass multiple times, definitely not safe,’ shared someone else.
‘I had someone try and open my back door like this at a traffic light in Castle Hill,’ shared another.
Meanwhile, others expressed their concern and sympathy, acknowledging how frightening the ordeal must have been.
‘[Please] file a police report. Hopefully, there’s a camera footage. This is genuinely so scary. Glad [you’re] okay,’ commented one person.
‘I’m sorry this happened. I can’t believe he had the audacity to run over and try after he knew that you knew what he was trying to do,’ said another commenter.
In light of Madison’s experience, it’s essential to remember the importance of personal safety. Always be aware of your surroundings, keep your car doors locked, and if your vehicle doesn’t lock automatically, make it a habit to do so as soon as you get in.
If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, trust your instincts and take immediate action to protect yourself.
While Madison’s story serves as a cautionary tale, it also reminds us of the resilience and resourcefulness we can muster in the face of danger. Her harrowing escape is a testament to her presence of mind under pressure, and a wake-up call for all of us to stay vigilant, even during the most routine activities.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with the YourLifeChoices community. Have you ever felt unsafe during a drive-through visit or while on the road? What measures do you take to ensure your safety in such situations? Join the conversation in the comments below.
Also read: Big cars might make you feel safer. But how do they impact others in a crash?
