Crew members injured in 'start line incident' at Sydney drag racing event
Five crew members were injured in a drag racing accident at a Sydney raceway yesterday.
Paramedics were called to Sydney Dragway about 5.15pm yesterday to what a witness described as a fire involving a car's engine, a New South Wales Ambulance spokesperson told 9News.com.au.
Top Fuel Australia confirmed there'd been a "start line incident" involving the Jim Read Racing team at today's Nitro Champs at the Eastern Creek venue.
WARNING: This article contains an image below which may be distressing
The crowd lit up their phones at the Sydney Dragway. Top Fuel Australia
Sydney Dragway's live stream of the event appeared to show an explosion at the rear of driver Phil Read's car as it lined up on the start line.
Officials rushed to help someone seen lying on the ground immediately after the bang.
Host Chad Neylon, was only metres away from the car at the time while introducing the upcoming race, said there appeared to have been a "start line issue here when they went to clear the engine".
"I can tell you that the crew down here at the moment are treating two crew members (from) Jim Read Racing," he said, on the telecast.
"... There's quite a bit of a shock down here at the moment. Not what we were expecting and not what we wanted to see here for the second round of racing."
Paramedics were called to the Sydney Dragway in Eastern Creek after the explosion. Supplied
The ambulance spokesperson said four people were taken to hospital, including a man believed to be in his 20s, who had critical burns at Westmead Hospital.
In a post on Facebook, Jim Read Racing said four of the five crew members have been released from hospital.
"Four crew members have been released from hospital & a fifth crew member needs further treatment on his hand & should make a full recovery," the post reads.
Top Fuel Australia asked fans to "send love and care" to the affected team.
"A full investigation is underway with IHRA Australia, the sanctioning body at Sydney Dragway," the organisation said about 8.15pm, on Facebook.
"Given that, Top Fuel won't make any further comment at this time except to say that our thoughts are with the team members involved, and that they're all in good hands."
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