A quiet Sunday evening at a regional New South Wales pub turned to chaos when a car ploughed into the building, leaving seven people injured, two of them seriously.
Chaos at the Royal Hotel
The incident occurred at approximately 5:20pm on Sunday at the Royal Hotel in the small town of Capertee, located roughly 46 kilometres north of Lithgow. According to police reports, the vehicle first struck a concrete pole before careering into the front of the popular establishment.
At the time of the crash, several patrons were seated outside the venue, enjoying the afternoon. The car hit this group, causing multiple injuries in a terrifying scene for the local community.
Emergency Response and Injuries
Emergency services rushed to the scene following frantic calls for help. Paramedics treated seven people in total for injuries sustained in the collision.
A 64-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman both suffered serious injuries. They received urgent medical attention at the scene before being airlifted to hospital for further treatment.
Another woman was treated for minor injuries and transported to hospital by road. Four other patrons also sustained minor injuries but did not require immediate hospitalisation.
Driver Arrested and Charged
The driver of the vehicle, a 30-year-old man, emerged from the incident physically uninjured. He was promptly arrested by attending police officers.
He was taken to Orange Base Hospital for mandatory testing. After being released from medical care, he was charged by police. The charges include:
- Negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm)
- Two counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm
His driver's licence was immediately suspended. The man was refused bail and is scheduled to appear before Bail Division Court 4 on Monday.
History of Incidents at the Venue
Shockingly, this is not the first time the Royal Hotel in Capertee has been struck by a vehicle in recent months. In July 2024, a car crashed through the pub's front fence and into the building itself.
Fortunately, it is believed no one was injured in that earlier incident. The recurrence has raised concerns among locals about safety in the area surrounding the historic hotel.
The investigation into the exact circumstances of Sunday's crash is ongoing, with police examining the scene and speaking to witnesses to determine the full sequence of events.
