A horrifying accident shook spectators at a motor race event held by the Sri Lankan army on Sunday, leaving at least seven people dead and 21 injured, as confirmed by the police. The dreadful incident occurred when a race car lost control and crashed into the crowd on a part of the track not protected by barriers at the Fox Hill circuit. This circuit is managed by the Sri Lankan army.Videos circulating widely on social media captured the moment when track marshals waved yellow flags to alert other drivers to slow down after a car had overturned earlier. However, despite the warnings, a red car sped into the crowd, resulting in screams and chaos.Watch the video here: At least seven people were killed and over 20 others sustained injuries when a car went off track and crashed into a group of spectators at the Fox Hill Super Cross race in Diyatalawa today.#Srilanka #Foxhill #Diyatalawaaccidemt pic.twitter.com/AFeoYGwCQY— Easwaran Christian Rutnam (@easwaranrutnam) April 21, 2024Nihal Thalduwa, a spokesperson, reported that 27 individuals were rushed to hospitals, and unfortunately, seven of them couldnt survive their injuries. Shockingly, one of the deceased was an eight-year-old girl.What had the army chief said Just before the tragic crash, the army chief, Vikum Liyanage, had announced that spectators could attend the event for free, aiming to promote motorsports, especially since the event was taking place after a five-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the countrys economic struggles.Liyanage expressed enthusiasm, stating that around 100,000 spectators had gathered at the Fox Hill circuit, located approximately 180 kilometers (112 miles) east of Colombo.Increasing deaths in road accidentsThis heartbreaking incident once again brings attention to the perilous state of Sri Lankas roads, which are known to be among the most dangerous globally. On average, eight fatalities occur daily on the countrys extensive road network spanning 12,500 kilometers (7,812 miles).
