Six people remain in hospital after Walcha derby grandstand crash
In short:
Six people remain in hospital after a derby car crashed through a barrier and into a grandstand full of spectators at the Walcha Motorcycle Rally.
Thirteen people were treated for injuries, including the driver, following the Saturday night event at the Walcha Showground.
What's next?
NSW Police are investigating the incident.
Six people remain in hospital in stable conditions after a demolition derby car crashed through a barrier and into a grandstand of spectators at a local motor sports event in North West New South Wales.
Emergency services attended the Walcha showground on Saturday night, about 90 kilometres from Tamworth, after reports of a crash at the Walcha Motorcycle Rally.
Hunter NSW Ambulance inspector Luke Wiseman said 13 patients, ranging from 20 to 70 years of age, were transported to hospitals across the region, including two critical patients who were flown to John Hunter Hospital at Newcastle.
Two cars involved in the event but not the car in question, which has been seized by police for evidence. (ABC New England: Jonathan Hawes)
He said those who remained in hospital were in a stable condition with a range of injuries.
"Including traumatic injuries … and a number of orthopaedic injuries as a result of spectators being hit at force,"he said.
Mr Wiseman confirmed the driver of the derby car was transported to a local hospital and treated for concussion and various injuries.
He has since been released from hospital.
NSW Police said in a statement that specialists from the Crash Investigation Unit would examine the crash scene and video evidence as part of its investigation.
The demolition derby car has been seized for examination.
Safety barriers to be examined
Australian Demolition Derby Association (ADDA) vice president Shane Ryan said his stomach turned when he was watching the Saturday night event being live streamed.
Multiple people were injured when a demolition derby car ploughed into spectators at Walcha showground. (ABC New England: Jonathan Hawes)
"It was just a horrible thing that should have never happened and I hope it never happens again,"he said.
"Obviously this was a freak accident and these are the kinds of things that can happen — it is an unpredictable sport."
Mr Ryan said the association would be happy to offer safety advice to local groups keen to put on events.
"The association has heaps of people operating in the scope of rules and regulations. We have officers constantly watching derbies and seeing how we can improve."
He said talk around the safety of barriers would be at the centre of the association's next meeting.
"To prevent what happened at Walcha happening again, because obviously that's a big no-no."
'Thoughts and prayers' with the victims
Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes said there was a sombre feeling in the town on Sunday morning following Saturday night's incident.
"And that's totally around our worries and prayers and thoughts for the people impacted."
He said he had seen a tonne of smashed-up cars at derbies run at the showground in his time, but never seen anyone injured.
"Shows run every year and we've never seen anything like this."
The mayor was unable to comment on the future of similar events but said he had personally been left feeling "hollow and gutted" because people had been injured "who came here to have a good time".
New England MP Barnaby Joyce said he left the event prior to the incident and wished all those impacted well.