Thirteen people were injured, two critically, after a car crashed into a crowd during a demolition derby in southeastern Australia, police said.
The car had been taking part in a race in the town of Walcha on Saturday night when it drove through a fence and hit the grandstand, New South Wales police stated.
The race, part of the annual Walcha Motorcycle Rally, had been a demolition derby—a type of motorsport where drivers ram their vehicles into one another.
Brendan Moylan, a member of parliament for Northern Tablelands, the region encompassing Walcha, reported on social media Sunday that nine individuals remained hospitalized and are now recovering.
Initially, police indicated nine people were injured, with bystander ages ranging from 20 to 75. The critically injured included a 54-year-old man. An investigation concerning the crash's circumstances is currently underway.
Authorities revealed that the 27-year-old driver had previously collided with another vehicle on the track prior to the incident.
In the aftermath, the Walcha Council expressed in a statement on Facebook that it was shocked and stunned by the unfortunate incident and noted collaboration with authorities to investigate the crash further. Offering comments before concluding inquiries would be deemed inappropriate, they stated.
On social media, Moylan commended emergency responders and bystanders for their swift actions at the scene, sharing, My thoughts are with everyone affected.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce also expressed his sympathies via Facebook, sharing his thoughts, prayers, and hopes with the injured.
This tragic event marked a somber note at what is typically a celebratory grassroots gathering for motorcycle enthusiasts.
