At least 13 people injured as race car ploughs into crowd after driver ‘blacked out at wheel with foot on accelerator’

AT least 13 people have been injured after a race car driver “blacked out” behind the wheel and mowed down a crowd.

Australian cops have launched an investigation into the terrifying crash on Saturday which left two spectators fighting for their lives.

13 people were injured after the collision at a motorsports eventCredit: Barometer

Tyre marks seen at the site of the crashCredit: Facebook

The vehicle was seen ploughing into a makeshift grandstand packed with fans at the Walcha Motorcycle Rally, north of Sydney.

Emergency services rushed to the scene at 6.15pm local time, before a 54-year-old and a man in his 30s were airlifted to hospital.

Eleven other victims, aged between 20 and 75, were taken to hospitals in Armidale, Tamworth and Walcha – with six suffering serious injuries.

The driver Steven Taylor, 27, is not accused of any wrongdoing – and was defended by his brother Blake on social media.

Both cops and Blake detailed how Steven had been in a mid-race collision in the demolition derby event just moments before the harrowing crash into the crowd.

Blake said: “Everything was running very smoothly yesterday. My brother, Steven, has hit a car in the middle of the field…

“As he’s gone to drive forward he’s blacked out and his foot has been wedged hard on the accelerator to the point Steven has not stopped.”

He also described the horrifying moment the car rammed into the “grandstand full of people”, saying that spectators were “thrown”.

“To see all these people on the ground… there’s drinks, glasses, hats… it’s still totally hard to believe,” he said.

“Just to truly see how far he’s come out of the field, first gear… straight into all this people… I just wish this never happened.”

Steven was admitted to hospital and treated for concussion and various injuries.

His car has also been seized while investigators probe the full circumstances of the suspected accident.

Cops said: “Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit attended and examined the scene as inquiries continue.”

The region’s local MP Barnaby Joyce said his thoughts and prayers were with those impacted by the collision.

The driver’s brother also revealed in a later social media post that his brother had been from released from hospital.

He also explained that Steven had been feeling “very overwhelmed” by the whole situation.

The Walcha Motorcycle Rally is a yearly event that draws motorsport enthusiasts to the regional town for three days.

One of the event highlights is the demolition derby.

Steven Taylor took to social media to explain what happened to his brotherCredit: Facebook