Cyclone Alfred: Australian army truck crash leaves 36 injured during storm deployment
Drone view of flooding in Australia's Lismore as ex-Cyclone Alfred brings heavy rain
The troops were part of the Australian Defence Force deployment assisting communities impacted by the severe weather conditions
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At least 36 Australian military personnel were injured when two army trucks collided whilst helping storm victims on Saturday.
The crash occurred south-west of Lismore in New South Wales.
Some of the Australian Defence Force personnel were seriously hurt in the incident.
The troops had been deployed to assist people affected by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, which has struck Australia's east coast with rain and powerful winds. Police are now investigating the cause of the crash.
The troops had been deployed to assist people affected by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred
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Police and New South Wales Ambulance sent specialist rescue units and paramedics to the scene of the collision.
Two helicopters were also sent as part of the emergency response. The injured military personnel were transported to four different hospitals in the region.
"A total of 36 patients was the last count I had," a New South Wales Ambulance said.
The spokesman was not authorised to provide further details about the condition of the injured troops.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that some of the injuries were serious.
In a joint statement with Defence Minister Richard Marles, Albanese said: "Right now our focus is on the welfare of those involved and their families."
"Our ADF heroes were on their way to help Australians in need," the statement continued.
The troops were part of the Australian Defence Force deployment assisting communities impacted by the severe weather conditions.
Ex-tropical cyclone Alfred's remnant is forecast to track west across the Australian mainland in the coming days.
The storm will bring more heavy rain, according to Matt Collopy, manager for the Bureau of Meteorology.
"The real threat now is from that locally heavy to intense rainfall, which may lead to flash and riverine flooding," Collopy said.
Cyclones are common in Queensland's tropical north but rare in the state's temperate and densely populated south-east corner that borders New South Wales.
The severe weather has caused significant disruption across the affected regions
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The severe weather has caused significant disruption across the affected regions.
The first casualty of the storm was confirmed on Saturday - a 61-year-old man disappeared in a flooded river near the New South Wales town of Dorrigo.
His body was recovered on Saturday, police said.
Emergency services continue to warn residents about the hazards of floodwaters.