ADF members injured in truck crash during flood-relief response

Several Australian Defence Force members were injured, some seriously, when two trucks crashed while responding to community needs in the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

CAPTION: Soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, arrive in Lismore on Friday, 7 March 2025, to assist northern NSW communities in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The trucks pictured are similar to the two that crashed in the Lismore hinterland. Photo by WO2 Raymond Vance.

On Saturday 8 March 2025 at about 5.15pm NSW time, 13 ADF personnel (revised downwards from an initial report of 36) were injured in the incident involving two army trucks near Lismore in northern NSW.

The military personnel were on their way to provide community support to the Lismore community which was severely impacted by heavy rains.

On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a press conference that the soldier were from the 7th Brigade, based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.

“There were 32 soldiers across two trucks involved in the incident,” Mr Albanese said.

“Thirteen soldiers were assessed on the scene as having injuries – six have serious injuries.

“All are being treated in local hospitals, and all at the scene did their best to look after their mates.

“These men and women are heroes and were on their way to help people in need.

“They were doing this at a time when some of their own families were bearing the brunt of Alfred.

“We will never take for granted the sacrifices our soldiers make for us and we will do all we can to support those injured and their families.”

Mr Albanese said all of the affected families had been notified.

Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the two trucks were configured to carry personnel and the team was evenly spread across the two trucks with 16 onboard each.

He said the team had been involved in route-clearance tasks and were in transit from one task to another when the incident occurred.

“Both trucks rolled and the circumstances of the incident are still being investigated,” Mr Marles said.

The 32 soldiers involved came from the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, 7th Service Support Battalion

NSW Police crash investigation unit officers will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

 

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