Steph Claire Smith has recalled a terrifying ordeal on her daily walk that left her in tears.
The Melbourne-based fitness influencer, 29, detailed the scary moment a man driving a white van started following her as she walked.
She remembers being afraid for her safety when a white van slowed down “significantly” alongside her, before turning around and passing her again.
Speaking to her friend Laura Henshaw on their KICPOD podcast, Steph said she was left in tears as the driver drove past and looked at her.
She shared: “There was a point for me, where I walked daily and I had this route that I loved to walk in my old place where I lived.
Steph Claire Smith recalled a terrifying ordeal on her daily walk that left her in tears as she spoke to Laura Henshaw on their KICPOD podcast.
“There was one day that changed everything for me because I hadn’t thought about changing the routes.
“I walked a lot during the day…and I lived near busy roads, but I just didn’t think anything of it, to be honest. I think I was just a little naive.
Detailing the shocking ordeal, she continued: “I remember the van like it was yesterday.” […] It was an old white van, like a wagon, with curtains on the back window, super scary.
“And this guy had his window down, he was old, and he was looking straight at me as he walked past me.”
The Melbourne-based fitness influencer, 29, detailed the scary moment a man driving a white van started following her as she walked (she is pictured running)
“I looked over my shoulder and this van then turned around and passed me again, slowed down and stared at me while he did it,” she added.
“The guy did it several times, three or four times. At this point I’m crying and don’t want to make eye contact with him anymore.
Steph said she then called her now-husband, Josh Miller, and asked him to come pick her up because she didn’t feel safe amid the “scary” ordeal.
Steph said she and Josh immediately went to report the incident to the police after he picked her up, and she said she has never walked the same route since.
Amid fears for her safety, Steph told how she phoned her now husband Josh Miller (pictured) to come pick her up, and they immediately went to report the incident to the police.
She said: “I haven’t been on the same route and I’m constantly calling Josh when I’m (scared) or I have triple 0 just ready on my phone and it’s just crap.”
Laura agreed, fuming: “It just sucks. We just want to go for a run or walk.
The comments section was flooded with messages from women who had similar scary experiences, while Steph’s followers sent her messages of support.
