Two Cars Collide with ADF Truck in Lismore Amid Post-Cyclone Recovery – March 9, 2025

Incident Overview
A serious traffic crash occurred in Goonellabah, near Lismore, New South Wales, on Monday, March 9, 2025, at approximately 4:45 pm. Two civilian vehicles collided with each other on Ballina Road near Invercauld Road before crashing into an Australian Defence Force (ADF) truck assisting with post–ex-tropical cyclone Alfred recovery efforts. A woman in one of the cars sustained minor injuries and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital, while none of the soldiers in the ADF truck were harmed. The incident adds to the challenges faced by emergency services in the flood-affected region, following a separate crash two days earlier that injured 13 soldiers.

Location and Time
The crash took place on Ballina Road near Invercauld Road in Goonellabah, a suburb of Lismore, during the late afternoon. The timing coincided with ongoing flood recovery operations in the area, which had been impacted by heavy rain and rising water levels from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

Vehicles Involved
The collision involved three vehicles: two civilian cars that initially collided and an ADF truck. The ADF truck, part of a convoy supporting flood recovery efforts, was struck by the civilian vehicles but remained undamaged. The two cars involved sustained significant damage, requiring emergency services to extricate the injured woman from one of the vehicles.

Crash Description
According to NSW Police, the two civilian cars collided on Ballina Road before veering into the path of the stationary or slow-moving ADF truck. The woman in one of the cars was extracted from her vehicle and transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The soldiers in the truck were unharmed, and the ADF vehicle showed no signs of damage. The crash occurred amid heavy rainfall and flood conditions, complicating response efforts.

Injuries/Fatalities
A woman in one of the civilian vehicles was taken to Lismore Base Hospital with minor injuries. None of the soldiers in the ADF truck were injured.

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, responded promptly to the scene. Paramedics stabilized the injured woman and transported her to the hospital, while police secured the area and coordinated traffic management. Earlier the same day, a 55-year-old man was rescued from floodwaters on Caniaba Road in Loftville after attempting to cross a flooded section. He was charged with middle-range drink driving after returning a breath test result of 0.086 and will face court on March 19.

Community Impact
The crash has intensified strain on Lismore’s emergency services, which are managing severe flooding from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the challenges, noting that one soldier injured in a separate crash on March 7 remains hospitalized with spinal injuries but is stable. Over 10,000 residents are subject to emergency warnings, and approximately 1,800 are isolated due to floodwaters. The Clarence and Richmond Rivers continue to be monitored amid forecasts of further heavy rain.

Investigation
NSW Police are investigating the crash, focusing on the cause of the initial collision between the two cars, weather conditions, and the positioning of the ADF truck during flood operations. Authorities are also reviewing broader disaster response safety protocols, given the recent spate of crashes involving emergency personnel.

Related Incidents
On March 7, 2025, two ADF trucks rolled near Lismore while assisting the SES, injuring 13 soldiers. One soldier remains hospitalized but is expected to recover. Additionally, a 55-year-old man was charged with drink driving after being rescued from floodwaters on March 9.