Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

22 April 2024 11:30 am - 52 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Prasad Rukmal

Diyathalawa, April 22 (Daily Mirror)- Two racing drivers who participated in yesterday's Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 racing event have been arrested by the police over the accident which killed seven people.

The arrested are a 36-year-old racer from Matara and 47-year-old from Mahakanda, Peradeniya.

They have also sustained injuries due to the accident and are under treatment at the Diyathalawa Hospital under police security.

Seven individuals including an eight-year-old child were killed and 20 others hospitalized with injuries when two racing cars lost control and collided with a group of spectators.

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Comments - 52

ama Monday, 22 April 2024 11:40 AM

This kind of racing events should not be held considering the number of accidents that happen in SRI LANKA. NO proper standards followed.

Raj Monday, 22 April 2024 11:56 AM

Whose fault is this Drivers, Organisers or Authorities who approved this event? Where is health and safety precautions for people who came to watch this?

Ranjan Monday, 22 April 2024 01:08 PM

I fully agree with Raj. The drivers are not at all responsible and should not be arrested. There were many accidents where vehicles collide in racing events in other countries. They have proper safety barriers to protect the people. The authorities are the ones who gave the green light to go ahead without proper safety precautions. Arrest them

Mahila Monday, 22 April 2024 02:17 PM

Who are 'Mattaya's' in Lanka, do you think know about OHSA in SL, going by the way traffic moves and the Chaos in day-to-day Life!!?? Life, none cares until they have dinner given by the King - sorry, the President and Government!!?? They are generally quite brazen!!!?? The great 'Sadhus and action men', would have been happy to get 'Santhosam' with 5 Zeroes after whatever digit and LOOK the Other-Way!!!??? No Santhosam opportunity, so arrest!!!??? These are the villains, causing degradation of motoring in Sri Lanka!! SCUMBAGS!

HiranG Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:13 AM

True, the event organisers must be held responsible. However, this will NEVER happen in this instance because the Army top guys are involved. I understand the Army is carrying out the investigation - what a laugh

navratne willamune Tuesday, 23 April 2024 08:43 AM

It is clearly seen,the drivers were orderd to stop by flag waiving officials.the drivers did not stop.The spectators entered the areas not permitted to see whats happening.Hindsight is easy to blame others.Unfortunate for those perished.the drivers should be banned.Always there is room to improvement.RIP for those who lost thei lives

Keliya Thaappeta Monday, 22 April 2024 11:57 AM

Do these 2 drivers have any previous racing experience, or were qualified via skill evaluation process to take part, or they just being garage guys wanted to bring in some assembled cut and chopped cars of lorry parts, and drove off the track for not being able to control the dilapidated craps?

Driver Monday, 22 April 2024 11:58 AM

Why not organizers?? Probably not organized. Less safety equipment on bends. Drivers nothing with accident.

Organisers probably have connection to MP in Government Monday, 22 April 2024 05:42 PM

It is madness to arrest driver, when is it obviously the lack of safety on the course, which is the fault of the owner, or organiser of the race. They probably have connection to tri-forces or MPs in government for them to evade justice so easy by pointing the finger at the unfortunate drivers.

Peterpolanduk Monday, 22 April 2024 12:03 PM

Not the driver issue it’s the ground safely and who permitted this race without following standards

A Monday, 22 April 2024 12:09 PM

Why the drivers arrested. Officials should be arrested. Typical SL Police

Nimal Monday, 22 April 2024 12:23 PM

Were the other drivers who took part in these races driving safely? What about the organizers who allowed these drivers to drive recklessly without adhering to safety precautions?

Ravi Monday, 22 April 2024 12:37 PM

Arrest the organizers as well. they are responsible for these deaths.

Rohan Freddie Dias Monday, 22 April 2024 02:34 PM

Agree It's a valid point to consider the responsibilities of not only the drivers but also the event organizers and local authorities in ensuring safety at racing events. While the drivers are directly involved in the operation of the vehicles and thus bear responsibility for their actions on the track, the organizers and local authorities play crucial roles in overseeing the overall safety of the event. Event organizers are responsible for implementing safety measures, ensuring that the track and facilities meet safety standards, and providing adequate training and supervision for participants. They must also adhere to regulations and guidelines set forth by local authorities to ensure the event is conducted safely.

Sam Silva Monday, 22 April 2024 07:45 PM

Yes. Also they should pay all medical bills and compensation to he ones who lost their lives and injured

Concerned Citizen Monday, 22 April 2024 12:51 PM

Where in the world are racing or rally driver's held responsible for accidents or related fatalities?? ONLY IN SRI LANKA!! Just like the driver of a vehicle is held responsible and thrown in jail even if they are not at fault for an injury or fatality caused by someone else's carelessness/ignorance/lack of brains. This right here is the height of stupidity. These are not public roads, they are controlled environments, normal road rules do not apply. This is absolute ignorance on the part of bystanders, organizers and officals!! Ignorance is also noted from some of comments here as well!! Its just a very sad state of affairs. This country should stick to bullock carts and ammudei's!!

2500 culture of stupid behaviour makes this happen Monday, 22 April 2024 05:45 PM

Getting rid of anarchic culture is the first step to modernize. Only in backward idiot third world country can this happen, and you should expect the most worst decisions to happen here. People here lack ability for independent thought, they go along with 2500 culture of failure leading them to never reach full potential as individuals and live in a intellectually and morally backward society.

Dee Monday, 22 April 2024 12:52 PM

They drove in a virtual sandstorm . That’s a feat. Organizers should be arrested for having races under unsuitable conditions and inadequate safety measures

Gona Monday, 22 April 2024 01:19 PM

1) Motor racing in a bankrupt country. 2) these selfish spectators are not mindful about the misery of others because of their selfishness. 3) this kind of madness should endup in madness. Shouldn't have any sympathy. 4) I live in Colombo. But in the middle of sleep I'm woken up by the noise of these bloody idiots who race in Colombo streets too. Babies of crooks. Nobody else can afford these super expensive racing cars.

Rip Winkle Monday, 22 April 2024 01:23 PM

For crying out loud! This wasn't a road accident for the cops to arrest the drivers! So bloody ridiculous!

Tonga Monday, 22 April 2024 01:45 PM

Only when there is a problem that everything crops up. Isn't their guidelines set about for races of this nature and also aren't we members of the World Racing Body... just my thought

Gune Monday, 22 April 2024 01:49 PM

Get the basics rights. You don’t arrest the drivers, you have to arrest the organisers first. But you won’t because they are all connected to the army.

Drivers will Be The Scarifying Lambs Monday, 22 April 2024 04:31 PM

Spot on. They can’t arrest the organisers. So these 2 drivers are the scarifying lambs. But their lawyers can point out why race not stopped when 1st accident car was still motionless on the track and why such an event with full of dust can be authorised as a racing track! Anyway, these arrest are just a Drama and they will be released soon after.

Bandu Monday, 22 April 2024 01:53 PM

Arrest the race organisers, officials who approved the race venue without proper safety. Drivers were participants in the race.

mnsmart Monday, 22 April 2024 02:34 PM

Arrested for fast driving?

George Monday, 22 April 2024 03:55 PM

Guys cannot drive straight on an express or normal roads in Sri Lanka. What raising ability these guys have. Sri Lanka traffic system don't have health and safety. Police should also arrest the organizer's and check if health and safety was in place?

Gabriella Monday, 22 April 2024 04:17 PM

It is a car race. The drivers were doing what they were supposed to do i.e. drive as fast as they were capable. It is a bloody car race after all. Commence the arrests with the the people who approved the race without the appropriate safety protocols. Typical police buffoonery.

Mahila Tuesday, 23 April 2024 05:51 AM

You're ABSOLUTELY ON THE MONEY, in stating the OBVIOUS FOR THE PAST 75 YEARS!!?? That's the POLICE, ‘BABY - THOTHA BABA’, we are endowed with because of 2600 years of culture, causing all this messy "Mallung", because the Police are so highly motivated intellects, with convoluted thinking easily get confused as to, ‘Whom to arrest or taken to task!!?? They know whom to be approached for “Santhosam” or BEST LEFT ALONE!!??? Even 11 year old school boy be able to decide in a split second!!?? No wonder, 'KOHEDA YANNE MALLE POL’ Kathawa Police would never be able to!?' Nothing has changed for better past 75 years, but good running errands at their SP’s and DIG’s homes!!!??? “Monkeys would always be nothing but Monkeys”!!?? What for the Telling!!???

Daminda Monday, 22 April 2024 04:24 PM

Action should be taken against the organisers for failing to ensure adequate safety of spectators and against the approvers for criminal ignorance. If no action is taken by the authorities, ideally the relatives of victims should go to the courts demanding justice and to avoid repetition. Ideally the the racing tracks should also be banned for racing events involving the public. By the way who are the organisers?

NV Jen Monday, 22 April 2024 05:35 PM

People were standing at the edge of the racing track sans any barriers. This was asking for a disaster to happen. The organisers need to take the blame.

Anthony. R Monday, 22 April 2024 05:56 PM

The blame should be totally on the Organisers of this sort of event, and those who give permission for the event. First the track under prepared for event, visibility was nil due to that. It wasn't this way in the previous year. Spectator safety not considered at all. So why blame the poor racing drivers. Arrest the organiser,

Ylg Monday, 22 April 2024 05:57 PM

Didn't know one needs to drive carefully when racing!

Sam Silva Tuesday, 23 April 2024 02:20 AM

That's a good one !!!.

Tariq Monday, 22 April 2024 06:17 PM

Arrest the organisers for not putting up a fence between the cars and the spectators.

DHA Monday, 22 April 2024 06:24 PM

Why what's the point arresting them? the authorities continued the race even after the first accident arrest them first ! And the crowd was at fault too they just came jumping over protective lines the moment they saw the first accident!

Tissa Fernando Monday, 22 April 2024 06:36 PM

Please build a tourist hotel at this location with some cycling and other sports activities, or they can make some go carts . This land is nor suitable for high speed racing. A tourist hotel will earn you dollars to some extent.

Jordan Monday, 22 April 2024 06:53 PM

This is the right action taken! Michael Shoe-maker once drove into a barrier and a piece of his car brushed against a spectator in the audience. He was remanded. Anyway under NPP none of this will happen; we will be better than Singapore

CONCERNED Monday, 22 April 2024 11:29 PM

YOUR WRONG, ALL WORLD RACING DRIVERS ARE HEAVILY INSURED, THE COMPANY THEY REPRESENT PAY ANY DAMAGES, NOT THE DRIVER EVEN THOUGH HE IS REMANDED. RACING DIRVERS ABROAD ARE USUALLY WELL EXPERIENCED AND RACES MEANS ONE HAS TO BE THE FASTEST, SO THEY TAKE THE RISK OF INJURY AS THEY ARE INSURED. OUR DRIVERS ARE NO WHERE NEAR THE LEVEL OF OVERSEAS RACING DIRVERS. THE ORGANISERS MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND PAY OUT ANY DAMAGES. THIS RACETRACK APPEARED TO BE A DIRT RACING TRACK AND NOT A RACETRACK FOR A FOX HILL SUPER CROSS EVENT. SPECTATORS WERE PASTED TO WHATEVER BOARDS IN FRONT OF THEM, WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN WAY AFAR. SOME BLAME NEEDS TO GO TO THE OFFICIALS TOO. AS FOR THE DRIVERS, THEY MAY BE UP COMING RACING DRIVERS, MECHANICS AND THE LIKES. ROAD RULES DO NOT APPLY ON A RACE TRAC, THE DRIVERS SHOULD BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY. HOPE THEY HAVE GOOD LAWYERS TO FIGHT THIS ACT OF STUPIDITY BY THE POLICE.

Jayantha Monday, 22 April 2024 07:33 PM

Foolish move. It was the irresponsible organizers that should be arrestedand hanged. If you look at the videos carefully you will see that it was due to the dusts caused as a result of not watering the track. It was not visible at all even to drive at the lowest speed. Organizers seems to save themself with the help of corrupt officers nothing else. DM keep an eye on this matter.

Sambo Monday, 22 April 2024 07:39 PM

Our we locally competent in making such race tracts with proper security. There seems to be no proper protective fence or sandbags except for a few tyers.

kumar Monday, 22 April 2024 08:44 PM

Excellent! Sri Lankan justice system. It is unlikely that the driver will intentionally crash the car into the crowd and injure themselves unless they have revenge with bystanders. Since the organizers did not provide sufficient safety precautions, they should be arrested.

Dee Monday, 22 April 2024 10:38 PM

Those who facilitated the dirt track should be arrested!zero visibility! Next is the organizing committee! Who allowed spectators! This should have been a closed door event! Participation at their own risk!

Jeanne Tuesday, 23 April 2024 03:22 AM

100% agree with you, Dee. This country is trying to run before they can walk. The sheer arrogance and stupidity of the organisers is mind boggling. RIP to the unfortunate victims.

Jeanne Tuesday, 23 April 2024 03:21 AM

Why on earth would you arrest the drivers???? It is the organisers that should be arrested. Unless of course they are politically connected and have millions lined up to evade arrest ..... utterly ridiculous. If you can't hold a world-class event with all the essentials of public safety, insurance and above all, duty of care to your spectators - then DON'T!!!! What a sad day for these innocent motor enthusiasts. RIP.

Shera Tuesday, 23 April 2024 04:05 AM

There's F1, NASCAR which have invest millions into safety standards based on historical data and science. This tragedy could have been avoided had the organizers cared to study safety standards from international races.

ignatius Tuesday, 23 April 2024 04:53 AM

This kind of races should be held with lots of protection for the spectators and partipants.

Arnold Tuesday, 23 April 2024 05:18 AM

Bankrupted and stupid too.

Kadmin Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:07 AM

Another kekille court case...

wickrama wijayasiri Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:16 AM

It is the organizers and the officials who issued permits for the event who should be arrested. The track is a dirt track and not a racing track. Spectators should not have been allowed to watch without adequate protection. Drivers in rickety and 'go-carts' are of the opinion that they are good drivers. Observe the roads in SL, Appears even the police do not know what they are doing. Arbitrary arrests to please the public for vengeance?

Citizen k Tuesday, 23 April 2024 09:23 AM

The driver is a participant and it is the organisers who responsible for the event and adequet safety of spectators.As per police spokesperson the road safety rule applies here.Never heard of such nonsense any where in the world.

Ravana Tuesday, 23 April 2024 10:55 AM

The stooges are at it again. Thank you for the laugh. I have forwarded this article to many in abroad so everyone can have a good laugh as well. Absolutely humorous, natural born comedians. Wish you all the best for your future on stage performance as well. I'm sure our fellows won't let us down for such comedy. Play the Benny Hill theme music and play the video of the drivers getting arrested at twice the speed.

Navi Tuesday, 23 April 2024 07:53 PM

How come National Cricketer Kusal mendis was not remanded and charged for runningover a Cyclist by driving on the wrong side of a major Public Road and fleeing the scene of the accident allowing the cyclists to die on the road? Diyatalawa Fox hill traffic laws differ from Galle Road ??????????????????? Also, Kusal Mendis's driving license too was handed back on a Rs. 50,000 surety. ONE LAW FOR FOX HILL RACERS AND ANOTHER FOR NATIONAL CRICKETER KUSAL MENDIS.

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Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

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