A professional Muay Thai fighter has been hailed as a hero after stepping in to protect two women during a road rage incident on a major Australian highway. Ryan McDonald, 19, from Brisbane, was returning from a camping trip in Noosa when he witnessed a man in a white van threatening two young women on the Bruce Highway in Queensland.
Dashcam footage captures the confrontation
Dashcam footage from the incident shows a young woman repeatedly attempting to merge into the left lane, only for the van driver to cut in front and block her. The situation escalated when the man jumped out of his vehicle and tried to open the woman's car door.
Speaking to Australia's 7NEWS the day after the event, McDonald said he instinctively exited his own car to confront the man. 'He jumped out of the car in the middle of the highway, and there are these two girls on their own in the car,' McDonald told the channel. 'I was thinking this would be a good opportunity to help, to use what I know and help these girls, and to try and de-escalate the situation.'
De-escalation over violence
Other motorists also left their vehicles and gathered around the commotion. However, McDonald said the van driver didn't back down, ripped his shirt off and 'instantly tried to start a fight.' According to McDonald, the driver aggressively asked: 'You sure you want this?' before adding, 'You don't know who you're messing with.'
Rather than engaging in a physical altercation, McDonald remained calm. 'I didn't try and pose a threat or make myself look big [but] he was trying to be threatening,' he said. It was only when a fellow motorist recognised McDonald from his social media accounts that he warned the van driver of his Muay Thai champion status. However, the driver allegedly responded: 'Show me how professional you are then.'
Viral video and public praise
Eventually, the van driver gave up and drove away. McDonald, who filmed the incident, shared the video on Instagram, where it has received around three million views and 72,000 likes. He told 7NEWS that staying calm was crucial. 'It was the best possible outcome, to de-escalate the [situation]. Everybody got home safe that day,' he said.
The video has generated thousands of positive comments, with many praising McDonald for his responsible actions. 'Good work brother,' one person said, while another wrote: 'The Bruce highway protector what a goat.' A third added: 'Thank you for protecting those women. Well done,' and a fourth echoed: 'Thank you for your service. So many people let poor behaviour continue. I agree that those who can and feel comfortable doing so call out poor behaviour.'
