ADF personnel hospitalised, as army truck rolls in crash near Lismore

Thirteen Australian Defence Force soldiers have been injured in a crash between two army vehicles in northern NSW. The Defence personnel were helping to respond to ex-Cyclone Alfred.

Australian Defence Force troops sent in to help communities damaged by floodwaters found themselves in need of rescue after two large army trucks crashed into each other in northern NSW, trapping two soldiers and leaving 13 injured.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the collision on a remote road in Tregeagle, near Lismore, just after 5pm on Saturday.

Witnesses said several crew members suffered broken bones.

Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said the injured personnel’s families had been notified, but he could not elaborate on the nature or seriousness of the injuries.

“This is a concerning situation … 13 have been injured and they are obviously being taken care of,” he told Sky News.

“Our personnel and their families are our first priority.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement of concern for the ADF crew, saying they were “heroes” who were “on their way to help Australians in need” following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The scene in Tregeagle. Picture: 7 News

It is believed at least one of the trucks rolled onto its side after the crash, with soldiers rushing to get inside and help their colleagues.

It is understood three army trucks had been travelling south from Goonellabah on a winding back road when the accident occurred in wet conditions.

Several locals described the crash as a “tragedy” and said Tregeagle Rd was “treacherous” to drive on.

“That road is treacherous, even on a dry day,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“It’s a dangerous road in good conditions. If you don’t know it well it’s more precarious. What a horrible tragedy,” another added.

One resident said the road was in “poor condition”, adding: “I use it regularly in a heavy vehicle and to say it’s unsafe is an understatement.”

“They’re here to help us and for this to happen is terrible,” one person wrote.

“This is the worst thing to happen right in the middle of a cyclone,” another wrote.

The scene in Tregeagle. Picture: 7 News

Australian military deployed to aid Lismore and surrounds during Cyclone Alfred and flooding. Picture: MATRIX

Nine Newspapers photographer Nick Moir witnessed the crash, claiming the young soldiers tried to brush off their injuries in order to help their friends in need.

“They’re all young guys saying ‘I’m fine, I’m fine’, and then you’re going ‘no mate, you’ve got a smack on the back of the head, probably broken ribs, broken legs,” he told A Current Affair.

“They’re all trying to hop around saying ‘nah, I’m fine, my mates are still inside’.”

Moir said he didn’t think speed was an issue in the crash.

“The road quality was quite bad, all they would have had to do was slip off the road, you can see some big tyre marks where they started to skid,” he said. “I couldn’t see the guys trapped down inside. I was dealing with possible broken ribs and concussions.”

An ADF spokesman confirmed two Defence vehicles were involved in the crash.

“A number of ADF personnel have been injured,” he said.

“The welfare of ADF members and their families is a priority and Defence’s focus is on supporting those involved.

“Due to the developing nature of the incident, no further information will be available at this time, however Defence will provide further updates when possible.”

Premier Chris Minns said the personnel had been in the area for the flood effort.

“I’m very concerned to hear reports of an accident involving Australian Defence Force personnel tonight,” he said.

“They came to the Northern Rivers to help keep this community safe.

“NSW emergency services are currently responding on the scene and we will provide all support necessary.”

Footage from Seven News shows ADF personnel in army fatigues running up and down the rural road following the crash, as police and ambulance officers respond to the emergency.

In a statement issued on Saturday night, Mr Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles paid tribute to the soldiers.

“A number of ADF personnel have been injured, some seriously,” the joint statement said. “Right now our focus is on the welfare of those involved and their families.

Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also released a statement, saying “our thoughts, prayers and gratitude are with them, their families and their fellow personnel.”

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Originally published as ADF personnel hospitalised, as army truck rolls in crash near Lismore