Marathon runner’s death a wake-up call for organisers, says Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: The death of Evelyn Ang, 44, should be a wake-up call for marathon organisers to review the safety procedures for the events.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, in a statement yesterday, said as marathon events were a popular sport and community event, which involved people of all ages, a thorough review was needed to prevent such mishap.
“She must not die in vain. Her death and the way it happened should be a wake-up call for marathon organisers to review safety procedures for future events.”
Lee said the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) and athletic bodies must look into the matter seriously and work with the authorities to devise and implement the highest standards for marathons.
“They must review the safety standards and procedures. If there are weaknesses, they must be addressed and reviewed with the initiatives taken by the Sports Commission, through its commissioner, Datuk Zaiton Othman.
“Marathons and other sport activities on roads are getting popular as they are being promoted at the community level.
“They must be safe with the adoption and implementation of the highest safety standards.”
On Dec 10, Ang was seriously injured during the Klang City International Marathon 2017 when a car crashed into her and two participants.
Ang suffered a skull fracture and brain haemorrhage, and fell into a coma.
The other two victims — Amiruddin Hamid, 37, and fellow pacer Ahmad Hadafi Yus, 42, — sustained minor injuries.
Last month, it was reported that Ang’s family had decided to take her off life support, as her body systems were no longer functioning.
Ang died on Thursday.
Lee said that the spectators could also become victims.
He cited an incident last year, where a father and his daughter were killed when a racing buggy slammed into spectators during the Educational Innovation Motorsports and Automotive Race in Kuantan.
Lee said those involved in sports should adopt good occupational safety and health management and implement best practices to reduce the number of accidents and health problems in the sector.
In the Sept 25 incident, company supervisor Izwan Isa, 39, and his daughter, Nurzulaikha, 5, were killed at the scene.
“NIOSH is ready to assist those in the sector to implement good occupational safety and health management as it is part of the organisation’s main roles, which are to provide training and consultation, disseminate information and conduct research on occupational safety and health.
“Although death and severe injuries do not occur every day in sports, the risk exists, as what had been reported by the media.”
Lee said accidents could be prevented if those involved, especially the authorities and organisers, adopted an occupational safety and health management system based on the concept of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control.
“It is incumbent upon the agencies involved and the organisers to identify the hazards and risks, and take safety measures to address them so that they will not give rise to accidents or deaths.”