Two Diggers in serious condition after ADF crash near Lismore

Two members of ADF are in a ‘serious condition’ after an accident on Saturday that saw 11 others injured in a crash near Lismore.

The scene of the accident in northern NSW, about 9km from Lismore. Picture: 9News

Two members of Australian Defence Force remain in a “serious condition” after an accident on Saturday that saw 11 others injured when two vehicles crashed near Lismore, with one rolling into a paddock and another tipping sideways.

On Sunday, police confirmed that the vehicles had not crashed into each other as investigations continued.

It came as rain continued to batter northern NSW, but flood alerts were revised down in some areas, notably Lismore, where residents were encouraged to “return with caution”.

NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner, who has been appointed as the state government’s floods recovery co-ordinator, described Saturday’s crash as “the largest accident scene” he’d seen in his “32 years of policing”.

“We had patients of varying injuries up and down the roadway, and still had four persons trapped,” he said.

He said everyone involved had been wearing a seatbelt.

The two defence trucks were carrying 32 people when they crashed on Tregeagle Road – 9km southwest of Lismore – about 5pm on Saturday.

Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman

One of the ADF vehicles had left the road and overturned into a paddock, rolling a “number of times”, Superintendent Tanner said, while the other had half-flipped.

Speaking on Sunday, Anthony Albanese said he was “hugely grateful” to emergency crews. “For the extraordinary members of the ADF and their loved ones, there are no easy days,” the Prime Minister said.

“Every day could bring danger … and yet they step up and face them for us, the Australian people, for our nation and for their fellow Australians.

“These men and women are heroes who were on their way to help people in need. They were doing this at a time when some of their own families were bearing the brunt of Alfred.”

Mr Albanese travelled to Brisbane on Sunday to visit the ADF’s Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera, alongside his deputy, Defence Minister Richard Marles, who thanked police and emergency services for their “exemplary duties” helping the injured.

“When the men and women of our defence force sign up to wear our nation’s uniform, they choose a life of service and they do so to make a difference,” Mr Marles said. “They are there to help their fellow Australians, and that’s what each of these 32 people were doing yesterday in support of those who are feeling the brunt of (the cyclone).”

Premier Chris Minns in Lismore. Picture: NewsWire

The crash would have no impact on the ADF’s ability to help with flood recovery in the Northern Rivers region, Mr Marles said.

Speaking on Sunday in Lismore, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the entire state wished the “young Diggers” a quick recovery. “When it comes to the involvement of the ADF in civil matters, particularly natural disasters, we are full of praise for the dedication and selflessness of ADF personnel,” Mr Minns said.