Driver allegedly rams Gold Coast 500 barrier, injuring security guard

Police allege a 31-year-old man deliberately drove a Toyota Hilux into a security barrier near the Gold Coast 500 circuit at Surfers Paradise, injuring a security guard before he fled on foot.

Police say they first received reports at about 9pm that a Hilux was being driven dangerously. The driver is alleged to have gone the wrong way along a one-way road before reaching a barrier on Staghorn Avenue.

The area was closed to traffic and under tight security because of the Gold Coast 500 supercars event, which is expected to draw about 200,000 people.

Police allege security staff asked the driver for identification and the situation then escalated. They say he deliberately drove into the barrier, which fell and hit a 40-year-old security guard. The guard is believed to have a broken foot.

Police allege the driver then tried to flee. Some members of the public tried to make a citizen's arrest but were unsuccessful. The police dog squad later tracked the man down.

At the time of the report, the man was in Gold Coast University Hospital being treated for a dog bite. Police said charges would be laid shortly. They are still working to understand why the incident happened and what the driver's motive was.

No charges or court details had been confirmed in the source report, and further developments were expected.