Did a Norwegian Man Just Have a Close Encounter with a Ship in His Garden?
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Synopsis
A Norwegian man’s life took an unexpected turn when a massive container ship ran aground in his garden while he slept. The ship narrowly missed colliding with his bedroom, prompting a race against time for his neighbour to alert him. Discover how this unusual incident unfolded and the aftermath that followed.
Key Takeaways
- A Norwegian man narrowly escaped when a container ship ran aground in his garden.
- The ship missed hitting his bedroom by just a few metres.
- His neighbour alerted him after witnessing the ship's approach.
- No injuries were reported, but the incident is under investigation.
London, May 23 (NationPress) A Norwegian man had a narrow escape when a massive container ship unexpectedly ran aground in his garden, narrowly missing his bedroom where he was sleeping by just a few metres, reports indicated on Friday.
The event took place in Byneset, close to Trondheim city, as Johan Helberg remained unaware of the arrival of the 135-metre Cypriot-flagged cargo vessel, the NCL Salten.
Helberg only became aware of the ship's presence when his neighbour, who had seen the ship approaching the shoreline, rushed over to inform him, according to the BBC.
"The doorbell rang at an hour I typically prefer to avoid answering," Helberg recounted to Norwegian television channel TV 2.
Peering out the window, he exclaimed he was "stunned to see such a large ship," noting he had to tilt his head back to see its top.
Had the ship been just five metres further south, it would have crashed into his bedroom, and "that would not have been a pleasant situation," he remarked.
"I didn’t hear anything," Helberg told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, adding that bystanders informed him there had been a loud commotion.
His neighbour, Jostein Jorgensen, mentioned he was awakened by the noise of the ship speeding toward the shore and Helberg's residence.
"I assumed he was already outside, but there was no sign of life. I rang the doorbell repeatedly... it was only when I called him on the phone that I finally reached him," Jorgensen shared with TV2.
Helberg expressed that the ship was "a very bulky new neighbour, but it will be on its way soon enough."
He added that he was "thrilled" to witness how the ship would be extracted from his garden, indicating it would require significant effort.
No injuries were reported from the incident.
The container ship had 16 crew members aboard and was navigating southwest through the Trondheim Fjord towards Orkanger when it deviated from its path, as reported by the BBC.
The cause of the incident is still unclear, and Norwegian authorities are currently investigating.
Bente Hetland, the Managing Director of NCL, which chartered the ship, described it as a "serious incident" and stated, "we are thankful that no one was harmed."
Point of View
Especially in populated areas. As national editor-in-chief, it’s vital to highlight the need for improved oversight and precautionary measures to prevent such occurrences. The dramatic nature of this event also serves to engage the public and raise awareness about maritime activities.
NationPress
21/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Norwegian man?
A container ship ran aground in his garden while he was asleep, narrowly missing his bedroom.
Where did this incident take place?
The incident occurred in Byneset, near Trondheim, Norway.
Were there any injuries reported?
No injuries were reported during the incident.
What caused the ship to run aground?
The cause of the grounding is still under investigation by Norwegian authorities.
How many people were on board the ship?
There were 16 crew members aboard the container vessel.
