Tragedy Strikes at Community Demolition Derby
A family-oriented motorsport event in regional New South Wales ended in chaos and injury on Saturday night after a competition vehicle ploughed through a safety barrier and into a mobile grandstand. The incident, which occurred around 6:15pm at the Walcha Showground, approximately an hour north-east of Tamworth, resulted in 13 people being hospitalised, with one man left in a critical condition.
Driver Lost Consciousness Before Impact
Blake Taylor, the brother of the 27-year-old driver Steven, provided a heartbreaking account of the event on social media the following day. In an emotional video filmed at the crash site, a tearful Taylor explained that his brother had "blacked out" behind the wheel after a routine collision during the derby.
"Everything was running very smoothly yesterday," Taylor stated. "My brother, Steven, has hit a car in the middle of the field... As he’s gone to drive forward he’s blacked out and his foot has been wedged hard on the accelerator."
Taylor described the terrifying sequence of events that followed, noting that the vehicle did not stop, ultimately crashing through a fence and into a grandstand that was full of spectators. He recalled the devastating scene, saying, "People got thrown. To see all these people on the ground... there’s drinks, glasses, hats... it’s still totally hard to believe."
Critical Injuries and Emergency Response
The aftermath of the crash saw a major emergency response. A 54-year-old man was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition, where he remains. He was joined by a 34-year-old man who sustained serious head injuries.
In a separate medical transfer, a 74-year-old man was airlifted to St George Hospital for treatment of multiple fractures and internal injuries. In total, twelve other individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
Taylor expressed profound gratitude for the swift action of first responders and off-duty medical personnel who were present. "I can’t thank the first responders [enough], all the people who jumped into action to help all those severely injured on the ground," he said.
Community Reeling and Event Future in Doubt
The crash has sent shockwaves through the close-knit demolition derby community and the wider Walcha area. Federal MP for New England, Barnaby Joyce, offered his thoughts and prayers to those affected, also thanking the off-duty nurses and responders who assisted.
Walcha Mayor, Eric Noakes, indicated that the future of the Walcha Motorcycle Rally, which featured the demolition derby as a Saturday highlight, would now be reviewed. "It’s been a five-year event but things like this — we’ll certainly reassess our position," Noakes stated, confirming that a new risk analysis would be undertaken.
For Blake Taylor and his brother Steven, the passion for the sport they grew up with has been extinguished by the traumatic event. "I personally don’t believe my brother or myself will ever compete again," Taylor confessed. "It’s shaken me up that much."
Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the crash. Police have confirmed that the 27-year-old driver is not accused of any wrongdoing.
