I saw those two cars had toppled and roll towards my car – Racer
Sixty five year old grandmother and eight- year old granddaughter among the dead
Seven persons lost their lives and over twenty sustained injuries at the Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 in Diyatalawa yesterday (21).
The tragic accident within the track limits during Fox Hill Super Cross took place when a car toppled in the 18th race 1200 cc Mazda car event.
A racing car driver who contested in the race told in the Magisterial Inquiry into the incident yesterday that his car toppled in the first lap and this accident involving two cars happened in the second lap of the race. “I saw those two cars had toppled and roll towards my car,” he said.
The injured were admitted to the Diyatalawa hospital and four of them were said to be in critical condition. A few of them were transferred to the Badulla Hospital. The incident took place during the 18th race of the day and the organizers had taken steps to call off the other scheduled races after the accident.
According to Dr. Ranjith Amarakoon of Diyatalawa Hospital, the deceased girl is a resident of Dayaraba area and the other deceased are residents of Embilipitiya, Matara and Ambalangoda areas.
According to the sources, the cars were at a speed of 160 kmph when the accident happened.
The 28th edition of the Fox Hill SuperCross organized by the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa together with the Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) was held yesterday (21).
This was after a five-year break since 2019. The event was held for the last time on April 21, 2019.
The ambulances and the rescuers including the Sri Lanka Army soldiers entered the track after about 15 seconds from the incident after the organizers signalled to stop the race with red flags.
This is said to be the first ever such tragic accident in the country’s motocross history. Despite the organizers taking all precautionary measures to prevent any accident, the relevant track area being covered with dust had been the reason for the accident. Although water bowsers were used to keep the track wet after each race, it was not enough to control the dust, it was reported.
Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugama who participated in the event speaking to the media expressed his condolence to those who lost their lives and said he would take every possible step to assist the injured.
He said that the organizers should take more safety measures to ensure the safety of the participants of the event and the spectators.Diyathalawa Police are conducting investigations into the incident.
