An eight-year-old girl was among seven people killed on Sunday, April 21, when a race car left the track at the Fox Hill Supercross in Diyatalawa, Sri Lanka, and ploughed into spectators and marshals. Another 21 were reported injured.
Police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said the dead were five men, one woman and the girl. Four of them were race officials. Five died at the scene and two later in hospital, according to National World. Some of the injured were said to be fighting for their lives.
The crash came in the 17th race of the day. A lead car, the No. 71, had overturned on the track, and marshals waved yellow flags to slow the field. One driver slowed, then lost control, hit a dirt embankment and veered off the right side of the track into the crowd, the Mirror reported. Video posted on social media showed the car sliding across the dirt. Another clip showed dozens of people crowded around ambulances.
More than 100,000 people had come to watch. The event, held on a military base, drew around 150 cars and 120 motorbikes, with drivers travelling from across south-eastern Asia. It was organised by the Sri Lankan military, with the Sri Lankan Automobile Sports Association running the racing, as it has since 1993. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, this was the first race since 2019.
The rest of the day’s racing was called off. National World reported that all further races at the event were suspended indefinitely.
The driver’s condition has not been confirmed. It is also unclear whether he will face prosecution. Diyatalawa Police have opened a full investigation.
Criticism has already landed on the event’s safety arrangements, particularly the lack of barriers between the track and the crowd.
Sources
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