Summernats Canberra 2024: ACT Policing searching for fight witnesses

Did you get among the skids at Canberra’s Summernats? ACT Policing is searching for punters who saw alleged brawls between security and punters which have left some with severe injuries.

Swelling on the brain and permanent face scarring are just some of the injuries suffered allegedly during wild brawls at Canberra’s Summernats car festival.

ACT Policing is searching across the territory and interstate for witnesses to multiple alleged assaults which took place at the motoring event in early January.

Social media videos detailed the wild scraps inside Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) where security guards in pink “crowd safety” vests were seen in several alleged altercations with revellers.

More vision shows men being allegedly punched in the face by staff before they fall to the ground in front of dozens of stunned onlookers.

A separate video which emerged on social media then showed a security guard allegedly punching a driver in the face before trying to drag him out of the vehicle.

Another security officer is seen trying to break up the incident before the guard is taken away, while the alleged victim continued to say “I’d like to press charges please”.

ACT Policing say a number of people presented with serious injuries particularly after January 6, which included “swelling on the brain, severe concussion and permanent scarring to the face”.

Police confirmed they were investigating both incidents and were searching for witnesses.

ACT Policing Major Crime’s Detective Acting Inspector Mark Battye said their call for witnesses went beyond the ACT.

“Naturally many attendees at Summernats travelled to the ACT from interstate, so we are putting out a wider call than usual for witnesses to the serious offences that took place at the festival,” Inspector Battye said.

“If you travelled to the ACT for Summernats and witnessed any of the serious assaults inside the venue on Saturday January, 6 2024, I would encourage you to report that information to police.

“We would also like to speak to anyone who may have mobile phone footage of the assaults.”

Anyone with information that could assist police was urged to contact ACT Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

Summernats is an popular annual four day car festival which has attracted car enthusiasts from across Australia since its inception in 1987, bringing millions into the ACT’s economy.

Summernats was contacted for comment.