Three people were hospitalised yesterday after a truck rolled onto their tent at Victoria’s Rainbow Serpent festival, including a man who sustained significant injuries to his chest, face, legs, and hand.
[jwplayer GbLNgH5I]
The Age reports the incident occurred around 5pm Thursday at the Lexton festival campsite near Ballarat, one day before the festival’s official launch.
The man, reportedly in his 30s, was airlifted to Melbourne’s The Alfred hospital. He remains in a critical condition.
A woman in her 20s sustained significant injuries to her back and abdomen, and was transported to Ballarat Base Hospital. Her condition has been listed as stable.
Another woman, in her 30s, was taken to the same hospital with injuries to her hip and back.
Victoria Police Inspector Dan Davison told reporters the unoccupied truck “had somehow become mobile and careered down a hill, and driven over the top of a campsite.”
Festival spokeperson Tim Harvey said “we know the entire Rainbow community will be thinking of them all weekend but it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”
Rainbow Serpent’s event emergency response coordinator Matthew Wood said “procedures were followed as planned and our thoughts are with the victims.”
The Age reports the circumstances are currently under investigation by authorities, including WorkSafe.
The festival is slated to continue until January 28.
