A 60-year-old man has died and two more people injured after a car crashed into spectators at the Finke Desert Race outside Alice Springs.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, 35km out from the rally stage’s start-finish line, after 9.30am on Monday morning.
The male spectator died after being struck by the vehicle, while NT Police has confirmed another aged in his 50s was seriously injured and taken to Alice Springs Hospital.
The 50-year-old female navigator of the car that crashed was also treated for minor injuries.
“The area has been cordoned off and competitors have been diverted from the area, which has been declared a crime scene,” NT Police said.
“Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the cause of the incident and calling for any spectators who may have witnessed the incident, or have dash cam or video footage, to contact police immediately.”
The race was called off nearly two hours after the incident while NT Police continued with their investigations.
“The Finke Desert Race mourns the tragic loss of a spectator in an unfortunate tragedy,” Finke organisers said.
“Due to the nature of the incident, the event is cancelled while the appropriate authorities investigate the incident further.”
Officials had earlier halted the car category due to the active crime scene, while the bike category’s return leg was also declared.
Participants had been told to stop on course and wait for a police escort back to Alice Springs.
