Organisers saddened over go-kart race mishap

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is saddened over the incident which claimed the lives of two family members at the Educational Innovation of Motorsports and Automotive (EIMARACE) 2016 race in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Pahang today.

Its Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Wahid Omar said as the organisers, UTM expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, and handed over the investigation to the police.

He said all the preparations in terms of technical aspects, security, site selection and efforts to obtain approval from the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) were duly carried out by the university.

In fact, according to him, they had also taken the necessary security measures, including placing water barriers, security tapes, and security personnel at the racing circuit to avoid accidents involving spectators.

"This was in line with the recommendations of MAM, and the race at the open circuit in Indera Mahkota (Pahang) had been certified safe to be participated by 51 teams from public and private higher education institutions," he said in a statement.

In the 11.30am incident, two spectators, a man and his daughter, were killed during a race when a go-kart suddenly went out of control and rammed into the stands.

His son was also injured and has been hospitalised.

Following the accident, the race was stopped and the championship was called-off. -- Bernama