First day of Targa Tasmania rally deaths inquest hears of horror 2021 fatal crash

The co-driver of the veteran driver who died in a 2021 Targa Tasmania crash has told a Hobart court of the frightening moments prior to the rollover at day one of an inquest.

The scene of fatal TARGA Tasmania crash in Lower Wattle Grove, Wattle Grove Road. Picture: Zak Simmonds

A Targa Tasmania co-driver has described the moment he desperately tried to save his friend and driver in a 2021 rollover crash during the first day of inquests into four rally drivers’ deaths.

Glenn Evans was the navigator for long-time friend and veteran driver Shane Navin when both he and Mr Navin, inside a 1979 Mazda RX-7, hit a bump in the road during the Mt Arrowsmith stage.

This combined with slippery road conditions led to the pair plunging 10m off the road and landing in Double Barrell Creek.

Mr Evans detailed the “agonising” moments during and after the crash to Coroner Simon Cooper in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Glenn Evans was a co-driver to Shane Navin when their vehicle crashed at Targa Tasmania's 2021 rally, killing Mr Navin.

He, alongside other key witnesses, detailed the three separate crashes over a two-year period, which led to the deaths of drivers Shane Navin, 68, Leigh Mundy, 68, Dennis Neagle, 59, and Anthony Seymour, 59.

When questioned by counsel assisting the inquest Sara-Jane Knott, Mr Evans stated he and Mr Navin had competed together many times, including in 11 races in 2021.

The pair had both performed an earlier drive-through of the track the day of the crash, completing around eight to 10 stages but did not reach the fated Mt Arrowsmith stage due to time constraints.

Counsel for Targa drivers Sara-Jane Knott outside of the Hobart Magistrates Court.

“I had no concerns about the vehicle before racing or Shane’s health,” Mr Evans said.

“We had been briefed on the track as is normal and had been warned that several cars had gone off the road in Queenstown due to slipperiness on the road.

“We were also warned of slipperiness from the 33km mark on Mt Arrowsmith.”

Mr Evans described the heart-pumping moment when their vehicle’s tyres lost traction on the road, with Mr Evans stating Mr Navin tried desperately to correct the vehicle and keep them on the road.

“The front of the car dipped and we went over,” he said.

“The car half-rotated and landed heavily on its roof.

“I called to Shane and got no response, but then realised there was water in the car and thought Shane might be underwater.

Targa Tasmania 2021. 1979 Mazda RX-7 of Shane Navin and co-driver Glenn Evans crashed 35.4 kilometres into the stage at approximately 10am this morning. Medical teams were immediately dispatched to attend the scene of the accident but were unable to revive Shane, who died at the scene. Co-driver Glenn Evans, was assessed by the attending medical crew and cleared of injuries. Picture: supplied

“All I thought was I had four minutes to start CPR or it was brain death for Shane.”

The tight space of the racing vehicle, difficulty in removing helmets and the car stuck on its roof in the riverbed meant Mr Evans could not remove Mr Navin from the car.

The court also heard of problems with the car’s RallySafe technology, an emergency system used to signal to other competitors and race organisers of accidents, including signal buttons not working during Mr Evans 2021 crash.

Course checker for the 2021 Targa Tasmania Graham Malcolm was also called as a witness where he described assessing the Mt Arrowsmith stage before the crash.

“We did notice the bump in the pre-event check, but didn’t think it warranted any concern,” he said.

Shane Navin driver in Targa 2021 who died in a crash during day 5 of the event. Picture: supplied

“We also downgraded the stage because it was wet and added in a note from that particular kilometre mark that it was slippery.

“I think we always consider that [drivers not heeding warnings], but we didn’t think that for Mt Arrowsmith there was any need for concern.”

Counsel Ms Knott said the inquest would examine the current systems in place to run “such a high-risk event”.

The inquest will run for another three days, with Motorsport Australia CEO expected to give evidence as well as the chief scrutineer and event delegates for the 2021 and 2022 Targa races.

Originally published as First day of Targa Tasmania rally deaths inquest hears of horror 2021 fatal crash