Demolition derby car ploughs into crowd, injuring nine
Nine people have been injured, including a man who is in a critical condition, after a speedway car crashed into the crowd at a demolition derby event in the state’s north-west on Saturday night.
A 54-year-old man who is in a critical condition with spinal injuries, and three others who sustained serious injuries, were expected to be airlifted from Walcha in the Northern Tablelands to major hospitals overnight.
A previous demolition derby at the Walcha Showground. The date of the image is unknown.Credit: Walcha Show
The incident unfolded about 6.15pm at the Walcha showground, about 90km east of Tamworth, where the Walcha Motorcycle Rally is taking place across the weekend.
Police say a vehicle competing in the derby crashed through a fence and hit a mobile grandstand where crowds were watching. As emergency services rushed to the scene, bystanders stepped in to administer first aid.
Witnesses told police the 27-year-old driver of the speedway car was involved in a crash on the show ring moments before ploughing through the fence.
Seven men and two women, aged between 20 and 75, were transferred to Walcha District Hospital.
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the critically injured man had suffered spinal injuries.
The annual Walcha Motorcycle Rally is held across two days, this year on November 14 and 15, and features a range of motorcycle-based events and competitions, including Postie Bike Soccer and Dirt Bike Barrel races, as well as other motor contests such as the demolition derby.
