Alice Springs, Northern Territory – A serious campfire accident occurred at a popular outback desert race, resulting in six young males being hospitalized due to burns from an exploding car part. The incident took place near the Deep Well checkpoint on Saturday as part of the Finke Desert Race circuit, located about 80km southwest of Alice Springs.
Witnesses reported that the spectators suffered first and second-degree burns from the bonfire blast before receiving treatment from paramedics at the scene. The injured individuals were then taken to Alice Springs Hospital for further medical care. The campfire mishap was caused by the explosion of a shock absorber device, according to NT Health officials.
Six male patients from Victoria, aged between 18 and 23, were admitted to Alice Springs Hospital the following day as a result of the incident. Some patients were transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital and others to The Alfred for specialized treatment. NT Health extended thoughts to the injured individuals, their families, and friends, as well as appreciation to first responders and medical staff involved in the response.
The Finke Desert Race, known as the biggest sporting event in the Northern Territory, covers a 460km stretch of dirt road from Alice Springs to the remote Indigenous community of Aputula. With over 600 competitors participating in various vehicles, safety measures were emphasized by race organizers to prevent accidents like the campfire mishap.
St. John Ambulance Medical teams stationed along the race track provided immediate assistance to the campers following the incident. Race organizers reminded spectators to follow safety instructions, including staying a safe distance from the track, obeying no-go zones, and properly extinguishing fires. Violation of safety measures could lead to the race being halted.
To ensure the safety of all participants and spectators, Northern Territory Police have been alerted for further investigation. As the community awaits updates on the condition of the injured individuals, precautionary measures will be reinforced to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.