Could there be anything more Australian than an Irishman walking out onto a busy four-lane highway to stop traffic so a koala can cross? Probably not, we think.
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The moment played out on the Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads on Queensland's Gold Coast on Thursday and, thankfully for both of them, they crossed the road safely.
The dramatic footage captured by Katrina Boyle shows motorists stopping to let the marsupial walk across the highway.
"Will's actually stopping the traffic, oh my God," a female voice can be heard in the video.
In her post to Facebook she writes: "Our Irish son-in-law escorting koala across Gold Coast Hwy in Burleigh Heads this morning".
Will Thornton can be seen walking out into the lanes of traffic, arms high in the air urging motorists to stop.
Trailing beside him, and a little behind, the koala slowly makes its way towards bushland on the other side.
By the time they reach the median strip a large four-wheel-drive abruptly stops, while an airport connection shuttle bus slows down and then keeps driving.
The koala pauses for a moment, then keeps walking.
"Don't get spooked little man. Keep going, you're almost there," the voice in the video says.
"Phew!" she says as the koala makes it across safely and heads towards a tree.
Nadine Morton
I report on crime, emergency services and police matters. Email me on nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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