Marathon mayhem

KLANG: A car ploughed into three runners of t he Klang City International Marathon 2017, seriously injuring a 44-year-old woman, in Jalan Kapar early yesterday, Evelyn Ang Gek Suan, 44, of Taman Bahagia, Cheras, who was a pacer at the race, suffered a fractured skull and other injuries in the 4.30am accident.

North Klang police chief ACP Mazelan Paijan said two other male runners, Amiruddin Hamid, 37, from Jenjarom, and Ahmad Hadafi Jus, 42, of Seri Kembangan, suffered light injuries and were given outpatient treatment.

All three victims were taken to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital for treatment.

However, Ang was later transferred to the Sungai Buloh Hospital due to her injuries and is expected to undergo

surgery to stop the bleeding in her head.

The incident occurred at the 14km point of the race.

Mazelan said police recorded a statement from the 30-year-old driver of the car.

He said preliminary findings following a urine test showed that the man was not intoxicated but a conclusive blood test was underway to confirm this.

A Facebook posting by a spokesman of the event’s organiser claimed that the car had ploughed into the runners from the back.

The spokesman said the organisers are doing their best to assist the victims and hoped Ang will recover speedily.

“We are in touch with the authorities. Out of respect for the family of the runner, further public comments on this incident will be avoided.” the posting said.

According to the organiser’s website, some 10,000 participants were expected in the event, with international runners from China, Thailand and Singapore.

The events had three categories – full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and a 10km fun run.

The full marathon was flagged off at 2am, half marathon at 3.30am and the fun run at 6.45am, taking runners past some of Klang’s main tourist spots.