A 31-year-old man was arrested after allegedly driving a Toyota Hilux into a barrier near the Gold Coast 500 motorsport event on Friday night, injuring a security guard. The incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. along the Esplanade at Surfers Paradise, according to Queensland Police.
The vehicle is accused of deliberately striking a metal barrier at the intersection with Staghorn Avenue, causing it to fall and strike a 40-year-old man. The injured man, identified as a security guard, was taken to the hospital with a suspected broken leg. Police stated his injuries were minor.
Spectators reportedly attempted to restrain the driver, a 31-year-old Surfers Paradise resident, but he allegedly fled before police arrived. Officers apprehended him nearby a short time later. He sustained a dog bite during his arrest and received medical attention at the scene before being transported to the hospital for treatment.
The Gold Coast 500 is an annual three-day Supercars event that draws hundreds of thousands of attendees. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.