Police investigate brawl involving crowd safety staff at Summernats car festival

Canberra police are investigating a brawl at the capital’s Summernats car festival on Saturday, with footage appearing to show several crowd safety staff punching and kicking attendees.

The confronting video, which was posted to YouTube, shows spectators at the annual car show throwing cans at men wearing pink vests that read “crowd safety”.

Seconds later, about five crowd safety workers are seen approaching a group of men who are throwing their fists in the air, and two begin a physical fight.

One crowd safety worker appears to yell “f--- you; I’ll kill you aye”.

Over the next two minutes, about a dozen crowd safety staff and attendees become involved in the brawl, which moves across a grass area and towards a building.

As a man in a white shirt and black shorts holds his head in his hands while on the ground, about four crowd safety staff surround him and one appears to kick him.

ACT Policing are investigating the brawl.Credit: YouTube

Members of the crowd can be heard egging the fighters on by saying “Summernats, f--- yeah,” and “get him” while others sound appalled by the behaviour, yelling, “there’s kids here, you f---ing gronks”.

Asked whether the footage – which the Herald sent to police for verification – was being investigated, an ACT Policing spokesperson said police were aware of an incident that occurred on Saturday afternoon inside the Exhibition Park in Canberra.

“Investigations into the incident are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time,” the spokesperson said.

Separately, police made two arrests on Saturday relating to anti-social behaviour at the sold-out event.

Footage shows crowd safety staff surrounding a man on the ground, before one appears to kick him.Credit: YouTube

“ACT Policing also responded to a handful of hoon driving incidents last night after the event had concluded,” the spokesperson said.

“Numerous defect notices were issued and three vehicles were seized as a result of hoon driving behaviour. ACT Policing reminds drivers that hoon driving that endangers other road users will continue to be targeted.”

In a statement, event organisers said Summernats and their security contractor, Red Dawn, are investigating an incident involving security staff and patrons on Saturday afternoon.

“Summernats and Red Dawn take their responsibilities for the safety and security of everyone at the event very seriously,” the statement read.

The crowd safety staff and spectators confronted each other before the fight broke out.Credit: YouTube

“This investigation will be given the highest priority and outcomes will be shared as they come to hand. Co-owner Andy Lopez will now wait on the results of the investigation before making any further comment.”

This year’s event, which kicked off on Thursday, is the 36th instalment of Summernats.

Car enthusiasts have flocked to the four-day festival annually since 1987, except in 2021. Last year, crowd numbers exceeded 120,000. The famous festival sees people travel from all around the country to Canberra, lining streets with camping chairs throughout the duration of the event.

According to ABC News, anti-social behaviour caused the festival’s cruise circuit to close early one day last year, which police said resulted in “a significant increase in poor behaviour within the venue” as visitors and drivers refused to follow directions from security staff.

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