By Gill Bikram Singh 
Twelve soldiers remain in hospital, including two in serious condition, after two army trucks rolled on a country road near Lismore on Saturday evening as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred battered northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.
Crash Details
The accident involved 32 defence personnel from the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, part of the 7th Brigade based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane. The first truck lost control on Tregeagle Road, 9km southwest of Lismore, rolling multiple times into a paddock. The second truck, attempting to avoid the first, tipped onto its side.
NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner described a chaotic scene, with four soldiers trapped inside the vehicles when emergency crews arrived.
“Tregeagle Road is a small country road, not very wide,” he said. “We had patients with varying injuries up and down the roadway, and four persons trapped.”
Military’s Role in Disaster Response
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) had been deployed to Lismore to assist with disaster preparedness, including clearing routes ahead of expected flooding. The city, devastated by historic flooding in 2022, has endured power and water outages for 72 hours, though levee banks on the Wilsons River have so far held.
Leaders Respond
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the soldiers’ efforts, stating they were serving the community despite the challenges posed by the extreme weather.
“These men and women are heroes who were on their way to help people in need,” Albanese said.
Defence Minister Richard Marles defended the military’s role in disaster relief, stating that while discussions continue on ADF deployment in emergencies, the military remains committed to protecting Australians.
NSW Premier Chris Minns also praised the ADF’s contributions and expressed hope that the incident would not deter future military involvement in disaster response.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident while ensuring the injured soldiers receive necessary care.