A volunteer is in hospital after a car lost control at Geelong’s Revival Motoring Festival, with a brand-new BMW slamming into a concrete barrier during a drag race which left the man bleeding on the side of the track.
The event marshal was knocked to the ground and collected by a concrete barrier after the high-powered BMW lost control during what was meant to be a quarter-mile sprint.
The crowd watching on was left stunned by the dramatic crash.
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“It was pretty crazy to see. It all happened pretty quick,” witness Adam Turley said.
“The medic on scene said that his foot sort of got squashed between the connector and the tarmac. Probably shouldn’t have been in thongs, but he was.”
The man in his 60s was taken to hospital, while the driver managed to walk away from the crash, albeit a little embarrassed.
“Yeah, he was standing by the car. I think the car protected him like it should He would have been on the brakes and I think he just slowed down a bit too quick,” another witness, Harrison Dinsmore, said.
Organisers say it’s the first time in 12 years a volunteer has been significantly injured at the event.
“We have been in touch with his family and we understand he is in good spirits. We will continue to support his recovery and will conduct a full review,” organisers said in a statement.
The incident has prompted discussions about safety protocols at the unique venue.
“It’s a very, very cool event, sort of quite unique … because it’s not just a straight drag strip; there’s that slight bend in it. I think they’ll be changing protocols on what the footwear is, that’s for sure,” spectator Manny Law said.
