Dozens of soldiers have been injured after two Australian Defence Force trucks collided in northern NSW.
The crash happened on Tregeagle Rd in Tregeagle on Saturday about 5pm, with up to 36 people injured in the horrific incident.
Nineteen ambulance crews rushed to assist with photos from the scene showing one of the trucks lying on its side with soldiers sitting on top trying to help.
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Up to two soldiers were trapped in the crash before emergency crews managed to free one.
Eight soldiers were taken by ambulance to Lismore, Tweed, Ballina and Byron hospitals while 16 “walking injured” were moved by bus.
“A short time ago there was a serious vehicle incident involving two ADF vehicles near Lismore,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement with his deputy Richard Marles.
“A number of ADF personnel have been injured, some seriously.
“Medical assistance is on hand.”
The soldiers had been in Lismore, which is about nine kilometres from Tregeagle, to assist with the impacts of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need,” Albanese and Marles added.
“Right now our focus is on the welfare of those involved and their families.”
Footage showed a number of defence personnel running to the scene immediately after the crash to help.
Soldiers rushing to the scene. Credit: 7NEWS – with reporting by Bill Hogan