Harness racing accident puts toddler in hospital after pace vehicle's metal boom hits family
A two-year-old girl is fighting for life in hospital after a freak harness racing accident at the Redcliffe Paceway north of Brisbane last night.
Key points:
- The family were watching a harness race when the metal boom gates failed to retract
- As the starting vehicle drove off, one of the metal boom gates struck four people, critically injuring a toddler
- Police said the track was initially declared a crime scene but it is no longer being treated as one, and investigations are ongoing
The girl's parents and her one-year-old brother were also injured when one of the metal boom gates that extend from either side of a pace vehicle did not retract as it drove off at the start of a race, hitting the family as they watched.
A harness racing industry source told the ABC the father was a harness racing driver, and the family from Kensington Grove in the Lockyer Valley, had been in a stabling area not usually frequented by spectators or members of the public.
The children's mother, Joedy Whitaker, sent a brief message to the harness racing industry via social media according to the National Trot Guide, thanking everyone for their "lovely messages" of support.
Two-year-old Lara suffered critical facial and abdominal injuries, while the one-year-old boy, Josh, is in a stable condition at Queensland Children's Hospital.
Their father Gary Whitaker has been released from hospital with a large cut to his head.
Sergeant Greg Price said it was a very distressing scene for everyone involved.
"It was witnessed by numerous people here and they're all being dealt with," Sergeant Price said.
"It's a tragedy when you see the injuries to a young child, two-and-a-half years old.
"It's a tragedy to the family, to the emergency services who attended here, also to the racing community that were all here."
Most harness races start with the horses lined up behind a motorised, hinged gate mounted on a motor vehicle, which leads them to the starting line.
The wings of the gate are then folded up as the vehicle accelerates away from the horses.
The race meet was immediately called off after the incident, which happened just before the third race at about 7pm.
Sergeant Greg Price said those in the racing community were being offered counselling, as well as the driver involved in the malfunction.
"He's very stressed over the incident at the moment … he's being cared for by family members and also members of the racing community here," he said.
The Redcliffe Harness Racing Club posted to its page on Facebook saying: "Our thoughts and love [are] with those injured in the mobile incident."
"Thanks to everyone who helped so quickly," the post said.
Police said while the track was initially declared a crime scene it is no longer being treated as one, and they are collaborating with workplace health and safety officers on the investigation.
Staff attended the scene last night and returned to the paceway this morning, working closely with police.
The Queensland Racing Integrity Unit declined to comment while the matter is under police investigation.
In a statement Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said support services would be offered to the Redcliffe harness racing community.
"Our utmost concern is for the impacted family," he said.
"It is imperative that we provide our support to the family, as well as the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards and the other spectators in attendance who have been impacted by this incident.
"As such, Racing Queensland will avail a counselling service for those impacted which we will communicate to the harness racing industry."
Racing Queensland has also cancelled this Wednesday's scheduled meeting at Redcliffe Paceway.
Queensland Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said there would be a comprehensive investigation into the accident.
"Our hearts really go out to the family that's been affected by this terrible incident," he said.
"It's an awful tragedy that we've seen unfold.
"The Redcliffe Harness Club is a real family affair.
"I know that the club officials and club staff are particularly upset about this incident."