A racing crew survived a fireball after a dragster exploded in Sydney.
Five members of the Jim Read Racing crew have been hospitalized following the incident at the Sydney Dragway in Eastern Creek on Saturday.
Check out footage of the incident in the video above
Watch the latest sport on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>
The crew was preparing Phil Read’s rocket for a race in Round 4 of the Top Fuel Championships.
The incident aired after taking place as TV host Chad Neylon presented live from the start line ahead of the race against Peter Xiberras.
“Wow! Neylon said after the explosion during live coverage.
He and the crew rushed to a member on the ground as the audience sat stunned.
“Get an ambulance…Ambo!” people were heard saying on the show.
The injured crew members were treated for various injuries, including burns and shock.
NSW Ambulance Inspector Greg Marshall said the patients were in ‘proximity’ to the engine when they were burned.
“Treating their burns and getting them to the hospital for further care was our priority,” he said.
“The wayside paramedics provided initial care to these patients before NSW paramedics arrived on the scene. One of the patients sustained head and back injuries when he was thrown backwards.
Jim Read Racing said four crew members were discharged from hospital, but one still needed “further treatment” for a hand injury.
The team said he should make a full recovery.
The dragster was retired from racing for the rest of the night.
The International Hot Rod Association Australia is investigating the incident.
