A violent brawl erupted at the Summernats car festival in Canberra this weekend.
The fight broke out between security guards and attendees and was captured on footage that was shared widely online. The security guards, identifiable by their pink vests labeled ‘crowd safety,’ were seen clashing with the crowd, with one guard heard threatening, “I’ll kill you.” An attempt by a festival-goer to defuse the situation resulted in them being knocked unconscious.
Online commentators have questioned the professionalism and legality of the security guards’ actions, with one guard admitting to past physical confrontations in their role but never to the extent of punching or kicking.
Police are investigating a popular rev-head event after utter pandemonium erupted between bouncers and patrons in Canberra yesterday.
Summernats festival organisers are yet to respond to #9News‘ request for comment, with the security company going quiet and deleting its social… pic.twitter.com/TvE2TvXlIy
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ACT police are investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made yet.
Summernats, an annual car festival in Canberra since 1987, is a popular event, attracting over 120,000 attendees and generating substantial economic benefits. The festival showcases a wide variety of cars and includes events like burnout and skid competitions, as well as a mullet contest.
Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez emphasized the event’s importance as an “automotive lovefest,” highlighting the collaboration with ACT Police to ensure safety and promote responsible behaviour. The festival has faced controversy in the past, notably following the death of a patron in 2019 who fell off the back of a ute.
