Finke Desert Race: Fundraiser set up for nine-year-old racing fan hit by car

Over $30,000 has been raised for the nine-year-old girl hit by a car while spectating at Finke.

OVER $30,000 has been raised on GoFundMe for a nine-year-old girl who is currently in ICU after being struck by a car during Finke.

Ruby McKie, from Paraburdoo in Western Australia, is currently in ICU at Alice Springs Hospital after being hit by a spectators’ 4WD on June 13, the final day of the Desert Road Race.

Almost 300 people have since donated to the cause raising $33,896 as of 12pm on Saturday, well clear of the original $10,000 goal.

The Finke racing community have got behind the young fan leaving words of support on her donation page set up by Pure Mechanical owner Josh Stevens.

“Best wishes little Ruby sending big hugs to Mum from all at Sibson Racing,” Dee Sibson said.

“Although I don’t know your family, I have grandkids your age and understand how easily such a tragic accident can happen,” Narelle Taylor said.

“Fight hard little one.”

You can donate to the cause here: gofundme.com

Over $20k raised for nine-year-old

A GOFUNDME created for the nine-year-old girl hit by a car during Finke has already raised more than $20,000.

Ruby McKie, from Paraburdoo in northwest WA, is in the ICU in Alice Springs after being hit by a spectator’s four-wheel-drive on Monday June 13.

She received multiple injuries to her skull, face, pelvis and legs and had to be flown into town by helicopter following the incident.

Ruby McKie, the nine-year-old hit by a car at Finke. Picture: Supplied

The fundraiser was set up by Josh Stevens, a mechanic from Paraburdoo, who detailed witnessing the incident while riding the return leg of the Finke Desert Race.

“When Ruby saw me pull up, she enthusiastically ran to meet me, neglecting to check the service road for vehicles.

“Unfortunately, she was struck by an oncoming spectator’s four-wheel drive in front of her mum and me,” he wrote.

After just 20 hours, the fundraiser has already received $22,163, from a $10,000 goal, from empathetic locals, fellow racers and wellwishers.

“I’m asking our towns to get behind this family so they can focus on Ruby without worrying about money to try and fund accommodation, flights, and living expenses,” Mr Stevens wrote.

Ruby McKie, the nine-year-old hit by a car at Finke. Picture: Supplied

Rio Tinto in Paraburdoo chipped in $5000.

The money will go towards “easing the financial burden” as Ruby continues to recover, Mr Stevens said.

You can donate to the cause here: gofundme.com

EARLIER, 9AM TUES JUN 14: ABOUT 30 Finke competitors were taken to hospital over an exciting weekend of off-road racing, while a number of spectators were also tended to by paramedics.

St John NT operations manager Craig Garraway, speaking on ABC Radio, said the number of injured competitors was down on most years.

“We treated 30 people over the weekend, which is a lot lower than most years,” Mr Garraway said.

“The injuries over those three days included broken bones, broken arms, legs and a number of other injuries.

“That would be a rough normal number for the event, some years we have up to 40-50 people injured.”

GALLERY: All the action at the Finke Desert Race

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It wasn’t just the competitors who required St John assistance over the weekend with some spectators also injured.

Some were taken to hospital with injuries from crashes from their own motorbikes, while a nine-year-old was hit by a car at a campsite near the famous race.

NT Police are still investigating the incident with the girl struck at 2pm on Sunday 125km from Alice Springs near Deep Well.

The injuries were deemed non-life threatening with the 32-year-old man driving the car assisting with inquiries.

“We did have a number of spectators, nothing to do with the event, injured as well doing their own thing out in the bush,” Mr Garraway said.

“We did retrieve a number of spectators including a young nine-year-old girl who was hit by a car in the camp area halfway down to Finke.

“Thankfully we were able to get two helicopters down to her and get her back to Alice Springs hospital where she’s recovering with family now.”

PICTURES: The faces of Finke

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Despite the number of injuries Mr Garraway commended the race organisers for putting the race weekend together.

“For the event it’s been great. We had 59 paramedics, volunteers CDU’s student paramedics down for the event,” he said.

“The Finke Desert Race committee should be commended on the great work they’ve done with all the safety measures they’ve had to put in place.”