A tragic accident at the Fox Hill Supercross event in Diyatalawa, Sri Lanka, on April 21 resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including an eight-year-old girl and four race officials. Additionally, 20 people sustained injuries, some of them critical. The accident transpired during one of 24 races arranged by the Sri Lankan Army and Sri Lanka Automobile Sports, which drew close to 45,000 spectators.
The fatal incident occurred when two competing vehicles lost control, causing one car to deviate off the track and crash into a crowd at the Diyatalawa Military Academy. The academy is situated in the central tea-growing hills of Sri Lanka, approximately 110 miles east of the capital, Colombo.
Details of the ongoing investigation were provided by police spokesperson Nihal Thalduwa who stated, “Initial reports indicate that the car involved suffered extensive damage upon impact, severely compromising the windshield and the roof structure. We are actively investigating the circumstances that led to this accident.” Videos circulating online depict the immediate and frantic efforts by attendees to help the victims.
Thalduwa further explained, “The race was temporarily halted as emergency services responded to the tragic scene. Our primary focus now is to understand the sequence of these events and the contributing factors that led to this crash.”
The potential hazards of the track were previously underscored by another accident where a vehicle had flipped. Although no injuries were reported in that incident, race officials had already increased caution by deploying yellow lights to manage the race’s pace.
A witness on the scene described the tragic event, “One of the cars tried to overtake another, lost control, and flipped. This seemed to trigger a chain reaction that led to the horrific crash into the spectator area.”
The accident has sparked significant concerns over the sufficiency of safety measures at motorsport events, especially regarding spectator protection. “The event was returning after a five-year break due to the pandemic and economic challenges, and it was open to the public free of charge,” a local news outlet reported, underlining the large attendance and the tragic aftermath.
The Fox Hill Supercross recently started again with much anticipation as part of a wider initiative by the Sri Lankan Army to involve the community through sports; this tragic event has now led to a reevaluation of safety procedures at such events. The Sri Lanka Army has set up a special investigation committee, and two drivers have been arrested for dangerous driving, emphasizing the legal consequences following the crash.
A race official stated, “The safety of our spectators and participants is paramount, and this incident will undoubtedly lead to stricter safety regulations at future events,” underscoring the need for improved safety measures.
