A terrifying incident marred the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 qualifying session when reigning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki suffered a dramatic crash that left multiple photographers injured and sent shockwaves through the Surfers Paradise street circuit.
Championship Leader's Dramatic Impact
The Erebus Motorsport driver, who currently leads the championship standings, lost control of his Holden Commodore at high speed during the critical qualifying session. His vehicle careened across the track before making violent contact with the trackside photography position.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as the red flag immediately halted the session. Disturbing footage showed Kostecki's car sliding sideways into the barrier where photographers were positioned, with debris flying in all directions and safety personnel sprinting to assist.
Multiple Casualties Reported
Initial reports confirmed that several photographers sustained injuries in the impact, though fortunately none appear to be life-threatening. Medical teams provided immediate treatment at the scene before transporting the injured to medical facilities for further assessment.
"Our immediate thoughts are with those affected by this incident," said Supercars representatives in an official statement. "We are providing full support to all involved and will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances."
Session Disruption and Championship Implications
The dramatic crash caused significant disruption to the qualifying session, with officials forced to delay proceedings while they attended to the injured and cleared the extensive debris from the circuit. The incident comes at a critical juncture in the championship battle, with Kostecki leading Will Brown by just 131 points.
Spectators and teams watched in horror as the championship leader's car sustained substantial damage, raising immediate questions about his participation in the remainder of the weekend's events and potential implications for the title fight.
Safety officials have launched a comprehensive review of the incident, examining both the cause of the crash and the positioning of personnel around the challenging street circuit that is known for its concrete barriers and limited runoff areas.
