This tagic news comes from MotoringFile reader Fred Hornung:

>Here is some bad news from Australia, Saturday a Mini Cooper S crashed into
the spectator crowd in Tasmania and injured 3 people seriously. The Japanese
driver and navigator were shaken but unhurt. (I saw the footage on channel 10
on TV this evening and it was definitely a PW Mini Cooper S, not a Mini
Cooper)

Here’s the official release from Targa Tasmania PR:

>Earlier today a competition vehicle was involved in an incident on the Targa
Tasmania Hobart stage in the State’s south, causing injuries to three male
spectators.

>A competition vehicle veered off course and impacted a group of spectators. As
a result of the incident, the injured were transported to the Royal Hobart
Hospital by ambulance.

>Of the three injured, two have been admitted to hospital: one male, 40, has
sustained chest and leg injuries and is listed as serious and another male, 64,
has sustained injuries to his head and shoulders and is also listed as being in
a serious condition.

>The third spectator, 39, has sustained back injuries. This person has been
listed as stable and has not yet been admitted to hospital.

>All spectators involved in the incident are from Tasmania.

>The crew involved were driver Nob Ikeda, 40, and navigator Shoichi Shibue, 36,
both of Japan in a privately entered 2004 MINI Cooper S. Both driver and
navigator were uninjured but were taken to hospital for observation.

>The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) will conduct a thorough
investigation into the incident. In the meantime, Targa Tasmania, CAMS and
event officials are working with Tasmania Police and other civil authorities.

>Event organiser Octagon has implemented its event chaplain and counselling
services for the relatives of the injured persons and other competitors and
officials involved in the event.

>Additional statements will be made as more information becomes available.

More news can be found here:

[ Spectators injured in Targa Tasmania ] ABC.net.au