More details continue to emerge following last night’s tragic accident at Walcha, with the brother of the driver of the vehicle involved posting to social media that his brother blacked out before driving through the fence and into spectators at Walcha showground.
Demolition derby driver Blake Taylor said his brother, Steven, had blacked out behind the wheel before smashing through a perimeter fence into the crowd at Walcha showgrounds about 6.15pm on Saturday night, in the final event of an otherwise highly successful Walcha Motorcycle Rally.
“Everything was running very smoothly yesterday,” he said.
According to Taylor’s account, Stephen had a collision with another vehicle in the demolition derby event, after which he passed out, his foot became wedged on the accelerator, causing the vehicle to plough through the steel fence around the arena and into the stands.
“He’s hit the fence, he’s hit the grand stand, he’s hit a parked Camry just here and pushed it into that tree, skidding off the tree and into that golf buggy.”
“It’s still really hard to believe,” Taylor said.
Other eye witnesses have told similar stories of how significant and “unbelievable” the tragic incident was. Tanya Johnston, who had travelled from Bathurst for the event, says she was very lucky to have moved away from the stand a split second before the impact.
“I was on the fence next to the stand, and I turned to go under the stand because it was raining,” she said.
“As I turned, my partner yelled, “Look out.” The car came through the fence and into the stand.”
“It’s spun the stand side ways, and people were flung into the air.”
Like many close to the scene, Tanya immediately tried to help.
“I ran to a man on the ground, but he was unconscious. Another guy had head injuries and was bleeding. I ran across the road to another man who had been hit by the car. He was unconscious, too.”
Tanya said the SES were quickly on the scene asking people to move back.
“My son came running to find me and I then went to get extra blankets from the camp site to help the injured.”
Rumours and misinformation have been rampant on social media, not helped by the original police media report incorrectly referring to a ‘Speedway’ accident. Other incorrect information includes claims that the car went through an open gate, rather than through the fence, and reports of the number of injured – and even false reports of fatalities – have varied wildly.
NSW Ambulance have confirmed 13 people were injured, although fortunately no one was killed in what Mayor Erick Noakes has described as a “freak accident”. Six of the thirteen injured are understood to still be in hospital. The worst affected was a 54-year-old man who was flown by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to John Hunter Hospital with spinal injuries. The hospital has reported that he is in a serious but stable condition.
Multiple videos of the accident from different angles have also emerged online, which New England Times has chosen not to share due to the distressing nature of the footage. NSW Police has asked that those with videos or other information to contact Tamworth Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online portal.
Safety of the events involved in the popular festival that attracts double Walcha’s normal population will be “reassessed” by Walcha Council in the wake of the accident.
Blake Taylor says he will also be reconsidering the safety of the sport that has been a significant part of his life, and does not believe that he or his brother Stephen are likely to compete in demolition derby events again in the future.
Concerns are now turning to the trauma of those who witnessed the event, with strong encouragement for those affected to seek help by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14 or other support services.
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