Walcha demolition derby crash puts sport under scrutiny as Safework NSW investigates
In short:
Four people remain in hospital after a derby car crashed through a barrier and into a grandstand full of spectators at the Walcha Motorcycle Rally.
The Australian Demolition Derby Association says the industry may be changed forever.
What's next?
Safework NSW is now in charge of the investigation.
A peak motor sport body says it expects the industry will be scrutinised with a "fine-tooth comb" after a car participating in a demolition derby injured 13 people when it crashed into a crowd of spectators at the weekend.
Four people remain in hospital, two of them serious but stable, following the crash at Walcha, in north-west New South Wales, on Saturday night.
The driver's brother said people were "thrown" as the demolition car ploughed through a fence into the crowd. (ABC New England North West: Jonathan Hawes)
Australian Demolition Derby Association (ADDA) president Nathan Williams said the crash could change the face of the industry.
"This is a one-of-a-kind thing that's happened," he said.
Industry scrutiny
Questions still remain over the events that led to the crash, and NSW Police have indicated SafeWork NSW will now be investigating.
Mr Williams said the ADDA did not advise the event organisers.
Two derby cars, similar to these pictured, were involved in the crash and have been seized by police. (ABC New England: Jonathan Hawes)
"We have tried to become the governing body of demolition derby in NSW, but we were not consulted," he said.
Mr Williams said if the association had been consulted, it would have suggested tighter "build restrictions" for the vehicles in the derby.
He expected the tragedy to have a big impact on the sport.
"This will be something that won't be looked past; the sport will survive, but it will definitely be damaged,"Mr Williams said.
"I think the future of this sport will be picked apart now by a fine-tooth comb; it will be a much safer sport moving forward."
The Australian Demolition Derby Association says it was not consulted about the demolition derby event in Walcha. (ABC New England North West: Jonathan Hawes)
He said the overarching Walcha Motorcycle Rally was run by the council, however, he would not comment on who was in charge of safety precautions for the event due to the active investigation.
"People obviously want to know what the cause was, what lessons can be learned, but that's too early at this time," Mr Parry said.
"We will find out in due course what improvements may need to be made, but our real concerns are with the injured."
Stephen Perry says the derby event was the responsibility of local enthusiasts. (ABC New England North West: Peter Sanders)
On social media, Blake Taylor, who said he was the brother of the driver, said the incident was "totally hard to believe".
"As [the driver] has gone to drive forward, he has blacked out," Mr Taylor said.
"His foot has been wedged hard on the accelerator to the point [he's] not stopped. He's come through the fence."
Loading...Safety under scrutiny
Demolition derbies are a frequent feature of country shows and motorsport events.
The crash has prompted organisers of the nearby Dorrigo Show to carefully consider plans for their own demolition derby this weekend.
"We'll probably get together during the week and have a meeting to discuss it amongst ourselves," the show society's Brad Schwartz said.
"[We also will need to] talk to the steward who's running the derby and find out his position on it."