Army forms committee to probe accident Fox Hill Supercross future depends on committee report

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   
The Sri Lanka Army said yesterday that a decision on whether to suspend or continue the Fox Hill Supercross in the future will be made following the report submitted by the seven-member committee.   

• The investigations will utilize existing videos and photographs related to the accident

The Sri Lanka Army has decided to appoint a special investigation committee consisting of seven senior officers chaired by a Major General to probe the accident that occurred during the Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross.   
Army Spokesman Major General Rasika Kumara said that this committee appointed by the Army Headquarters is tasked with reporting the incident to the Commander of the Army.   
The investigations will utilize existing videos and photographs related to the accident.   
The spokesman outlined several areas of inquiry for the committee, including determining the causes of the accident, identifying responsible parties, confirming the safety measures for spectators, assessing the track’s quality assurance processes and recommending preventive measures for future accidents.   
The 28th edition of the Fox Hill Supercross 2024 took place on April 21, 2024 at the Fox Hill Supercross track.   
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 during the 17th race of the 1500cc Ford Laser Mazda 323 category,   
The injured were admitted to the Diyatalawa Base Hospital, with ten later transferred to the Badulla Teaching Hospital for further treatment.   
Two racing drivers who participated in the racing event have been arrested by the police over the accident and remanded until April 30 by the Bandarawela Magistrate’s Court.   
Meanwhile, Major General Rasika Kumara said that President of Sri Lanka Automobile Sports (SLAS) informed them that they are currently in the process of compensating the victims who died and those injured in the accident at the Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross. “Spectators, drivers/ riders and officials of the Fox Hill Supercross were insured by the organizers,” he said.