As ex-tropical cyclone Alfred battered northern New South Wales, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) mobilized to help communities facing rising floodwaters and dangerous conditions. On Saturday, March 8, 2025, this mission took a devastating turn when two military trucks carrying ADF personnel crashed near Lismore.
The incident, which unfolded on Tregeagle Road just after 5 pm, left thirteen soldiers injured—six of them seriously as they travelled to assist flood-affected residents. The crash has cast a shadow over the region’s recovery efforts, highlighting both the risks faced by emergency responders and the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather events.
The Incident: Sequence of Events
According to New South Wales Police, the accident occurred about 9 kilometers southwest of Lismore on Tregeagle Road, an area already suffering from flood-damaged infrastructure. Two 240 M-model trucks, each carrying ADF members from the Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, were part of a convoy responding to the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred.
The crash unfolded when one of the trucks veered off the roadway and rolled several times into a paddock. The second truck, attempting to avoid the first, tipped onto its side. Contrary to initial reports, authorities confirmed the vehicles did not collide with each other. In total, 32 personnel were aboard the two vehicles at the time of the incident.
Emergency Response and Medical Care
Emergency services responded swiftly, dispatching nineteen ambulances to the scene. Paramedics and specialist rescue units worked to extract and treat the injured, who were then transported to hospitals in Lismore, Tweed, Byron, and Ballina. Of the thirteen personnel requiring medical attention, six sustained serious injuries; however, authorities later clarified that none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
Crash investigators from the NSW Police Crash Investigation Unit are now examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a focus on the challenging weather and road conditions in the flood-affected region.
The Human Toll and Community Impact
The troops involved belonged to the Second Combat Engineer Regiment and the Seventh Service Support Battalion, both part of the Seventh Brigade based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane. Their deployment to the Northern Rivers region was part of a broader effort to support communities grappling with heavy rainfall, flooding, and the lingering trauma of the catastrophic 2022 floods.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles both expressed deep concern and gratitude for the injured soldiers. These men and women are heroes who were on their way to help people in need, Albanese stated, emphasizing the risks ADF personnel willingly face in service to the nation. Marles echoed this sentiment, highlighting the voluntary nature of their commitment and the dangers inherent in disaster response operations.
NSW Premier Chris Minns also voiced his support, acknowledging the ADF’s vital role in keeping the community safe during a time of crisis. Local MP Janelle Saffin conveyed the community’s heartfelt concern and readiness to support the injured and their families.
Ongoing Challenges: Weather and Recovery
The crash occurred as the region braced for further rainfall, with meteorologists warning of continued dangerous conditions and the possibility of additional flooding. The Lismore community, still recovering from previous disasters, watched anxiously as emergency levees were tested by the relentless weather.
Despite the setback, the ADF and local authorities reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Northern Rivers region through the ongoing emergency. The welfare of the injured personnel and their families remains a top priority, with Defence and government leaders pledging all necessary support as investigations continue and recovery efforts persist.