Thirteen people were injured at the Walcha Motorcycle Rally on Saturday evening after a demolition derby car ploughed into spectators at the Walcha Showground.
Emergency services were called to the Derby Street venue just after 6.15pm, with witnesses reporting that a yellow car crashed through a fence and struck spectators during one of the final events of the festival.
NSW Police said a 27-year-old driver was involved in an on-track collision immediately before losing control of the vehicle. The crash sent the car careening off the circuit and into the crowd gathered near the temporary grandstand.
Mobile phone footage posted to social media shows a yellow car leaving the derby area in the centre of the showground before driving directly through the fence and into the crowd, with people immediately running to provide assistance.
Bystanders provided first aid to the injured before paramedics arrived. A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman confirmed that 13 people were hurt in the incident.
Two were critically injured, including a man in his 50s suffering spinal and hip injuries and a man in his 30s with a head injury. Both were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
The remaining 11 patients, aged between 20 and 75, were taken to hospitals in Walcha, Armidale and Tamworth. Police said six had serious injuries.
Armidale RFS also attended the scene to assist emergency crews.
The demolition derby was the very last event of what had otherwise been a highly successful weekend festival, with over 100 motorbikes taking part in the parade this year. Many had left the festival and headed home with positive posts of praise across social media for another great event.
First held in 2021, the Walcha Motorcycle Rally was created as a community-driven effort to showcase the town and draw visitors to the New England High Country. Walcha is a natural meeting place for motorcyclists, with the Oxley Highway and Thunderbolts Way being popular rides due to the breathtaking scenery and lots of turns.
The NSW Police Crash Investigation Unit is travelling to Walcha to examine the scene and determine the circumstances surrounding the collision. Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to contact Tamworth Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online portal.
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.