Tourist who extended NT trip to see Finke race revealed as tragic crash victim
An amateur photographer who extended his holiday to be trackside at the Finke Desert Race was tragically killed when a vehicle veered off the road and into spectators.
Northern Territory
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AN amateur photographer who extended his holiday to be trackside at the Finke Desert Race was tragically killed when a vehicle veered off the road and into spectators.
The man, who was in his 60s, died instantly on impact when he was struck by the vehicle about 9.35am on Monday.
The man from the ACT was on holidays photographing the vehicles as they travelled over the crest of a hill about 35km from the finish line.
Another male spectator in his 50s sustained serious injuries and was taken to Alice Springs Hospital. He’ll be flown to Royal Adelaide Hospital on Tuesday.
A woman in her 50s, the navigator of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash and was taken to Alice Springs Hospital.
Witnesses say the vehicle’s suspension system bottomed out as it landed from the jump and it darted left and drove over the top of the man, who was dragged for several metres.
“He got the full brunt of it,” Don Macaulay, who witnessed the incident from close range, said.
Mr Macaulay said emergency services quickly tended to the other man who had been struck and stabilised him before he was flown from the scene to the local hospital.
He said the navigator, who had sustained minor injuries, stayed in the car for some time after the crash because she was stuck.
Police cordoned off the area and diverted competitors away from the site.
Christine Zander was standing next to the fatal victim as the events unfolded, which she described as “probably a bad spot” to be watching the race from.
Ms Zander said she had spoken to the man earlier in the day and he said he’d decided to extend his holiday at short notice.
“He said he rang his wife and said ‘the Finke’s on, I’m going to extend the holiday’, so that’s what he did,” she said.
“This was the first time he had ever come to it and he loved it, absolutely loved it.
“He was so happy.”
Ms Zander said the ordeal was “so sad”.
“It all happened so quickly,” she said.
“Sadly he won’t be going home to the ACT.
“You park your car there and you don’t go home in it.”
Mr Macaulay, who’s in town from Adelaide, had met the victim the day before and said the two hit it off and bonded over their interest in photography.
“We were just shooting photos and comparing cameras and I had a good chat with him for a couple of hours after (Day 1) had finished.”
Mr Macaulay said they had exchanged some jokes and talked “about life and many other things”.
“We had almost the same cameras,” he said.
“He was just like me – an amateur photographer.”
Mr Macaulay said he bumped into the man on Monday and got chatting again while they waited for the next vehicles to come through.
“We started shooting here and there were a few cars that came through a bit crazy,” he said.
Charlie McCarthy, who had travelled from Coffs Harbour, watched the incident unfold from a distance.
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Mr McCarthy, who used to grade forest roads for the Australian round of the World Rally Championship, said he was surprised at how close spectators were allowed to stand at the Finke.
“They would never be allowed to stand there at the World Rally Championship,” he said.
“Back home officials come round and clear the track to start with, and if you’re standing somewhere they think you shouldn’t stand, officials tell you to get out.
Several police and emergency service officers remained at the site until after 2pm on Monday to interview witnesses and investigate the scene.
Race organisers announced that the return leg of the bike category had been cancelled.
Motorsport Australia issued a statement saying it was saddened to hear of the tragic news from the race.
Motorsport Australia said it would provide ongoing support and counselling services to those affected.
NT Police are still investigating the crash. Anyone with information should call 131444.
Originally published as Tourist who extended NT trip to see Finke race revealed as tragic crash victim
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