CCTV appears to show race engineer hitting himself before assault claim
New footage has emerged after claims a motorsport engineer was assaulted following the Bathurst 1000.
Motorsport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motorsport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police say they cannot substantiate allegations an engineer was assaulted following the Bathurst 1000 after CCTV emerged showing what appeared to be the man punching himself.
The 20-year-old engineer was walking with his partner on William St in Bathurst shortly after 4am on Monday when he alleged he was set upon by three men.
Police received reports of the alleged attack and on Monday said they had begun an investigation; by Tuesday, officers instead said they couldn’t substantiate the man’s claim.
“We’ve viewed the CCTV footage and I’m confident that didn’t happen,“ Chifley Police District Superintendent Darren Beeche told publication Speedcafe.
CCTV footage was released by 7News appearing to show the man slapping and punching himself in the face before hitting the pavement.
The Erebus Motorsport engineer had been at the team’s after-party at the Oxford Hotel, and according to Auto Action, the attackers shouted “f**k Erebus”.
Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan on Monday offering a reward for information prior to the release of the CCTV footage.
“I cannot believe there are people like this in the world. These young, innocent people were out celebrating a life achievement,” he reportedly said from Bathurst.
Bathurst 1000 race winner Brodie Kostecki told Sunrise on Monday that the apparent attack was “really disappointing” and had also put a “spoil on the evening”.
“We wish Sam all the best and hopefully he recovers fast, along with his partner,” Kostecki said also before CCTV footage of the alleged incident emerged.
As of Wednesday, the investigation into the incident remained open and police were still appealing for any witnesses to contact Bathurst police.
Originally published as CCTV appears to show race engineer hitting himself before assault claim
Bathurst crew winner ‘attacked’, hospitalised
Bathurst champion Brodie Kostecki has dropped shock news a member of his team has been “attacked”. Police are investigating.
From home inferno to Bathurst: Star’s ‘gut-wrenching’ 24 hours
On Saturday Declan Fraser’s Gold Coast home was destroyed in a house fire, the next day he was racing around Mount Panorama in the Bathurst 1000. He takes REBECCA WILLIAMS inside the ‘gut-wrenching’ 24 hours.