A racing car loses control & kills six people

A race car lost control, jumped the barrier, and ploughed into nine spectators and injured several others in Pathum Thani late Saturday night following which the authorities ordered the closure of the Bangkok Drag Avenue racing circuit.

This racing competition was organized by Goodyear Racing GMG Drag 2008, a special event held once a year for teenagers to race among themselves. The alleged car lost control merely 300 m soon after the start, hit the concrete barrier at the edge of the track, flew over, and rammed into the crowd and killing six persons, all men aged between 16 and 41, on the spot apart from leaving several others injured. The driver of the car has fled after the accident, and the police are now hunting for him.

When found, the driver would be charged with negligence resulting in injury and death to other people. The penalty would be ten years in jail and a fine of 20,000 baht, a senior police official was quoted as saying.

Orders have been issued to investigate the business registration of the Bangkok Drag Avenue and construction of the racing field. Pathum Thani’s police station commander Police Major General Vitthaya Prayongphan said that Governor Preecha Buttree ordered the temporary closure of the race tack until the results of the investigation are out.