Thirty-two people were involved in an incident in which two Australian defence force vehicles rolled off the road at Lismore on Saturday that has left 13 injured, some seriously.
Emergency services were called to the scene in northern New South Wales shortly after 5pm with initial reports that 22 people had been injured. NSW police said on Sunday that 13 personnel were injured. Six are in a serious condition.
Nineteen ambulances were dispatched to Tregeagle Road to respond to the incident.
Patients have been transported to Lismore, Tweed, Byron and Ballina hospitals.
The incident was originally believed to be a collision between the two vehicles but police clarified on Sunday that was not the case. In a statement, police said: “one vehicle left the roadway and rolled several times into a paddock, and a second vehicle tipped onto its side attempting to avoid the first vehicle. The vehicles did not collide with each other.”
The ADF was deployed to Lismore to help the community prepare for the impacts of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred and flooding due to heavy rainfall.
In a statement, NSW police said the incident occurred around 9km south west of Lismore.
“NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and are assisting a number of people at the scene,” the statement said.
“Multiple emergency services are also at the scene, including officers from Richmond Police District and specialist rescue units.
“Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.”
Photographs taken by a photographer from the Sydney Morning Herald show a large troop transport vehicle had rolled onto its side.
Tregeagle Road has been closed and police have told people to avoid the area.
In a joint statement, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the defence minister, Richard Marles said some of the ADF personnel had been “seriously” injured.
“Medical assistance is on hand,” the joint statement said. “We stress this is an ongoing incident.
“Right now our focus is on the welfare of those involved and their families. Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need.”
NSW premier Chris Minns said he was “very concerned to hear reports of an accident involving Australian Defence Force personnel tonight”.
“They came to the Northern Rivers to help keep this community safe,” Minns said.
“NSW emergency services are currently responding on the scene and we will provide all support necessary.”
Janelle Saffin, the state MP for Lismore, said “our community expresses its heartfelt concern and sends our love to those personnel injured and their families”.
“They came in service to our Northern Rivers communities in our time of need and we stand ready to help in their time of need,” Saffin said.
