Summernats revellers banned from riding in back of utes after death at car festival
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Version 0 of 1. Revellers at Summernats have been banned from riding in the back of utes after a man died at the street car festival in Canberra. A 30-year-old from Queensland sustained fatal injuries when he fell from a car along the cruise route at Exhibition Park on Thursday afternoon. It’s the first death at the event in its three-decade history and is being investigated by police. “We were very distressed about it but certainly nothing in comparison to the distress and unhappiness that would’ve been experienced by the family and friends of the young man,” the Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez told reporters on Saturday. Organisers initially stopped people from riding in flatbed trays, but have since extended it to all utes – “no matter what the circumstances” – on police advice. That will stay in place for the rest of the weekend but a decision is yet to be made if it will be permanent. “People have been sitting in the back of utilities at Summernats for 30 years and riding around in the slow, controlled conditions here,” Lopez said. “Our safety record is really strong. What happened in this particular instance will be a matter for the police.” Any recommendations arising from police investigations will be complied with, he said. Tributes for the man, believed to be Luke Newsome, have flowed on social media. His partner, Caity Lye, said Newsome was her soul mate and love of her life. “You are the most genuine, caring and loving person that I have ever met and you will continue to always be forever in my heart,” she posted on Facebook. “We had so much life to live together but your beautiful soul was unfortunately needed elsewhere.” Summernats officials revealed details of the incident only after the man died on Friday, and did not address the media until Saturday. They are yet to speak to his family directly. “The family is going through a grieving process. We’re ready and willing to assist and offer support in any way,” Lopez said. |