Johan Helberg, a retiree in Byneset, Norway, is jolted awake to find a massive container ship lodged in his backyard after it ran aground early Thursday morning. The incident left not only Helberg shocked but also many locals, as they witnessed the surreal sight of the ship on land.
Cargo Ship Accidentally Grounds in Norwegian Backyard
Cargo Ship Accidentally Grounds in Norwegian Backyard
A tranquil morning turns chaotic in Trondheim, Norway, as a cargo ship crashes into a retiree’s property, narrowly avoiding his home.
In the quiet coastal community of Byneset, a typical morning was suddenly upended when Johan Helberg awoke to the urgent knocking of a neighbor at his door. This unusual wake-up call, occurring around 5 a.m. on Thursday, was due to a surprising sight just outside his window—a massive cargo ship, the NCL Salten, had crashed into his backyard, narrowly avoiding the home he has lived in for years.
Helberg, a retired museum director, reflected on the unexpected morning, saying, “I was sleeping soundly, deeply, and then I heard a dinging sound.” Initially, he mistook the noise for his doorbell, pondering who would ring him at such an early hour. Upon looking outside at the prompting of his neighbor, he was met with the surreal view of the cargo ship looming just a few yards away from his bedroom.
Had the ship altered its course even slightly, Helberg concedes that it could have disastrous consequences, stating, “It could have picked up speed and plowed into the house. It’s completely surreal.” In contrast to his calm demeanor, his neighbor, who witnessed the ship's approach, was understandably shaken by the incident.
The ship's grounding has not only stunned Helberg but also sent ripples of surprise throughout the local community and beyond. As images and videos circulated online, many Norwegians expressed their shock at the sight of a colossal container vessel, usually seen at sea, now uprooted and stranded on land.
For Helberg, the day became an unplanned adventure, one he navigated with unexpected coolness. "I impressed myself by staying cool,” he said, acknowledging that he has seen and endured worse situations in his lifetime. As authorities respond to the incident, the community will likely continue to process this extraordinary event, reminding them of the unpredictable nature of life along Norway's stunning fjords.
Helberg, a retired museum director, reflected on the unexpected morning, saying, “I was sleeping soundly, deeply, and then I heard a dinging sound.” Initially, he mistook the noise for his doorbell, pondering who would ring him at such an early hour. Upon looking outside at the prompting of his neighbor, he was met with the surreal view of the cargo ship looming just a few yards away from his bedroom.
Had the ship altered its course even slightly, Helberg concedes that it could have disastrous consequences, stating, “It could have picked up speed and plowed into the house. It’s completely surreal.” In contrast to his calm demeanor, his neighbor, who witnessed the ship's approach, was understandably shaken by the incident.
The ship's grounding has not only stunned Helberg but also sent ripples of surprise throughout the local community and beyond. As images and videos circulated online, many Norwegians expressed their shock at the sight of a colossal container vessel, usually seen at sea, now uprooted and stranded on land.
For Helberg, the day became an unplanned adventure, one he navigated with unexpected coolness. "I impressed myself by staying cool,” he said, acknowledging that he has seen and endured worse situations in his lifetime. As authorities respond to the incident, the community will likely continue to process this extraordinary event, reminding them of the unpredictable nature of life along Norway's stunning fjords.
