District Commander of the Richmond Police District Scott Tanner gave further details about what occurred at yesterday's ADF accident on Tregeagle Road at today's media briefing at the Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah.

Commander Tanner said this was the largest accident he has attended in his 32 years of policing.

"The response from the emergency services was outstanding, but also the response from ADF personnel. I was the third car on scene by the time I got there, they had triaged all of their patients, except the ones that had been trapped in the vehicle. They were providing first aid to each other, and some were actually providing first aid to themselves.

"Two ADF vehicles were traveling along Tregeagle Road at Tregeagle, they had been tasked to attend and assist the SES with some tree removals.

"At a point on the roadway, both those vehicles overturned. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but what I one can say is there were 32 military personnel on board. All 32 were conveyed to hospital.

"As the Premier said, we still have two that are in a serious condition."

Commander Tanner said all personnel were wearing seatbelts. "There is a large four-point harness in those large trucks," he said, "and certainly the injuries were lessened."

"One vehicle had left the roadway and had overturned in a paddock. It had rolled a number of times. And one was blocking the entire road.

"All I can say is that it was a very hectic scene when we arrived. We had patience of varying injuries up and down the roadway, and still had four persons trapped.

"Within two hours, we had every person in that location in hospital. They were taken to Twedd Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina and Lismore. Only Lismore has patience left in it.

Commander Tanner confirmed that spinal injuries were the worst suffered by the 32 ADF personnel.

"I really want to thank the ADF because they have come up here to help the community and unfortunately, were involved in this very tragic accident, but our hearts and our thoughts and our prayers go out to their family, and we're very appreciative of the efforts they put in."

This sentiment was supported by Premier Chris Minns.

"I think I speak on behalf of everybody in New South Wales when we wish a speedy recovery for all of those young soldiers. We genuinely appreciate their presence here in this aftermath of the cyclone.

"And I just want to say on a broader point, when it comes to the involvement of the ADF in civil matters, particularly natural disasters, we are full of praise for the dedication and selflessness of ADF personnel. We appreciate them being involved, particularly in relation to Alfred, and I want to see, if it's at all possible, more of it in the future.

"We really, really genuinely congratulate and are full of gratitude to the Commonwealth Government for deploying early the ADF personnel, notwithstanding the accident last night, this is incredibly important when it comes to community confidence.

"The skills and expertise of the ADF, and I'd hate to see it dampen the federal government's involvement in these natural disasters. The bottom line is, we need you. They do an incredible job, and we're very grateful for it."