Speedway Car Loses Control at Rural Motoring Event
A demolition derby at the Walcha Motorcycle Rally in New South Wales ended in chaos on Saturday evening when a competing vehicle crashed through a safety fence and ploughed into a crowd of spectators.
Emergency services, including NSW Ambulance crews, rushed to the Walcha showgrounds, located approximately 90 kilometres from Tamworth, following reports of the serious incident.
Critical Injuries and Emergency Response
According to a NSW Ambulance spokesperson, the crash resulted in injuries to 13 people. The situation was particularly grave for two victims who were left in a critical condition.
A man in his 50s sustained serious spinal and hip injuries, while a man in his 30s suffered a significant head injury. Both critical patients required immediate airlifting to the major trauma centre at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The eleven other injured individuals, whose ages ranged from 20 to 75, were transported to local hospitals in Armidale, Tamworth, and Walcha for treatment. Of these, six were reported to have sustained serious injuries.
Community and Official Reactions
New South Wales Police confirmed that the incident began with an on-track collision involving the 27-year-old speedway car driver during the derby, which led to his vehicle veering off the course and into the grandstand.
Police crash investigation units have commenced a thorough examination of the scene to determine the exact cause of the accident.
The federal member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, took to social media to express his concern. He posted on Facebook that his "thoughts, prayers and hopes were with those in critical care" and extended gratitude to the "off-duty nurses and first responders who immediately dropped everything to help the injured."
In a show of solidarity, the Australian Demolition Derby Association also released a statement, confirming their thoughts were with those injured and the wider Walcha community following the tragic end to the event.
