Driver dies, camera operator injured in drag racing crash at Willowbank Raceway near Brisbane
By Andrew Thorpe
A professional drag racer has died after his car crashed into a camera tower at an event in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, on Saturday evening.
Police said the car left the track and crashed into a camera tower shortly before 7pm, during the New Year Nitro event at Willowbank Raceway.
Police and paramedics have attended a fatal crash at a raceway west of Brisbane.(ABC News: Lucas Hill)
The vehicle’s driver, who was the sole occupant, was attended to by paramedics but died a short time later.
A camera operator was also taken to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Workplace Health and Safety is conducting an investigation into the incident with the assistance of the Queensland Police Service’s Forensic Crash Unit.
Police have asked the public to avoid the area around Champions Way, and to be patient with likely traffic disruption.
Willowbank Raceway. Picture: Dave Reid
Statement from Queensland Police at 21:00 AEDT (20:00 local time)
Police are investigating following a fatal crash at a Willowbank drag racing event this evening (January 7).
Initial information indicates just before 7pm, a vehicle left the track and crashed into a camera tower.
The driver, and sole occupant of that vehicle suffered fatal injuries as a result.
A camera operator was transported to the Princess Alexandra Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The Forensic Crash Unit is assisting Workplace Health and Safety with investigations.
The public are advised to avoid the area around Champions Way or exercise patience with likely traffic disruption.
(Facebook)
More to come.
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