Six people rushed to hospital after explosion at Outback desert race

A ‘serious campfire mishap’ has put six young males at a popular outback desert race in hospital after they suffered burns when a car part exploded.

The incident took place near the Deep Well checkpoint, which forms part of the Finke Desert Race circuit, located around 80km southwest of Alice Springs on Saturday. 

Six people suffered burns following the blast at a bonfire, before they managed to get to the checkpoint where they were treated by paramedics from St John Ambulance NT. 

The spectators are understood to have suffered first and second degree burns and were taken to Alice Springs Hospital to be treated.’

The campfire incident was caused by the explosion of a shock absorber device,’ NT Health told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Six male patients from Victoria, aged between 18 and 23 years, were admitted to Alice Springs Hospital (ASH) on Sunday, 9 June as a consequence of a serious campfire mishap near the Finke Desert Race track on Saturday, 8 June,’ NT Health said.

‘Three patients were transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) via the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) and two patients were transferred to The Alfred via CareFlight on Sunday, 9 June.

‘Our thoughts are with the patients, family and friends of the injured young men and any witnesses to the distressing incident at the Finke Desert Race event.

‘NT Health would like to thank first responders, St John Ambulance, NT Police and all NT Health staff involved in the response, particularly staff at Alice Springs Hospital and the Medical Retrieval teams for their excellent response and care of the injured patients.’

The Finke Desert Race, which is held annually on the Kings Birthday long weekend, is an off road multi-terrain race that is the biggest sporting event in the Northern Territory. 

The race is held over four days along a 460km stretch of dirt road from Alice Springs to the remote Indigenous community of Aputula. 

More than 600 competitors take part in the race with drivers racing their motorbikes, sprint cars, and utes on the rugged terrain.

The race organisers told Daily Mail Australia that St John Ambulance Medical teams are stationed at each check point along the Finke Desert Race track.

‘We understand they were able to assist the campers once they presented themselves last night,’ a spokesperson said.

‘Campers have always been advised to take extreme care and monitor all fires along the track.

‘Finke Desert Race organisers have overall been pleased with spectator behaviour and are looking forward to welcoming the top riders and drivers back to the Alice Springs finsh line on Monday.’

Race organisers issued a warning to spectators on their website and their social media pages earlier on Sunday and urged them to follow all safety measures, that have been put in place. 

 ‘We need all spectators along the track to always follow all safety instructions. These instructions are in place to keep you and others safe,’ they said. 

This included standing at least 30m back from the track, staying behind all bunting and signage, and to obey spectator no go zones. 

The warning stated that the race will be stopped if spectators do not comply with the safety instructions. 

Campers were also warned to be extra cautious when lighting fires according to website. 

‘Remember to bring your own firewood. Take extreme care with all fires – these need to be monitored carefully, and fully extinguished when finished with,’ they said. 

Northern Territory Police have been contacted for comment.