Two injured in Targa Rally crash

A CRASH injuring two people during the Targa Rally in South Otago yesterday was a ‘‘rare’’ occurrence for the event, organisers say.

Two men were hurt — one seriously — when a ‘‘modern, European’’ car participating in the event’s recreational ‘‘tour’’ category left the road and crashed over a bank just before 1pm, during special stage 8 near Lawrence.

The stage was cancelled, although the rally later continued.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene, and a Dunedin rescue helicopter landed just after 1.20pm, before removing a man in his 50s with ‘‘serious’’ injuries to Dunedin Hospital, St John said.

The man was believed to have been knocked unconscious during the crash, but regained consciousness before paramedics began treatment.

The other occupant of the car, a man in his 40s, sustained ‘‘moderate’’ injuries and was taken to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance.

The accident occurred in Tuapeka Rd West, about 3km from Lawrence. Police reported no other vehicles were involved and no spectators were harmed.

Targa Rally spokesman Paul Shanahan said he was ‘‘not at liberty’’ to release the names of the injured men.

‘‘All I can say is emergency services were called in line with protocol, and removed two men to hospital after they received injuries.’’

He said although crashes were not unusual during the event, which had run for about 25 years, typically they caused damage to cars only.

‘‘The rally has a pretty good safety record over its 25 years, but this is motorsport. However, we’re very concerned for the occupants here and hoping it’s not too serious.’’

He said the event was ‘‘strictly managed’’ in terms of speed and safety regulations.

‘‘Tour’’ category participants, including the men in question, were limited to 100kmh when not wearing approved race helmets, and 160kmh with helmets.

Mr Shanahan said he did not know which option the injured men had been driving under.

‘‘We have strict regulations, marshalls, and safety cars that pass through both before and after a stage.

‘‘Unfortunately, what people are required to do and what they actually do are sometimes two different things. But we really don’t know if this is a human or mechanical error at this stage.’’

❛ The rally has a pretty good safety record over its 25 years, but this is

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