Statements taken to aid investigation

IPOH: Police have recorded statements from nine individuals in connection with the death of a spectator who was hit by a race car during the CCT Battle of Champion at Dato’ Sagor Circuit in Pasir Salak.

Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said they included the organiser, victim’s friends and officers involved in the race, which was held on Dec 31.

He said the investigation papers are in the final stages of completion and added that he believed that other witnesses, including spectators, will also be called up to have their statements recorded soon.

“We have called nine main witnesses, and we will also call up independent witnesses,” Yusri said at the state police headquarters.

He added that stern action would be taken if it was proven that the incident was caused by parties who did not comply with the rules and standard operating procedures (SOP).

“This is to ensure that this does not happen again. We will take stern action on any association, group, or individual guilty of not following the rules and SOP.

“Those who want to participate in any extreme sports events including car races, bicycles, motorcycles, climbing, and so on, the organisers must get approval and permission from the authorities and always emphasise the safety aspect.”

It was reported that the 32year-old victim died while being treated at Changkat Melintang Hospital in Lambor Kanan.

A post-mortem revealed that the man died of head injuries and bleeding in his lungs.

The spectator was hit at 3.30pm, when two out of 12 vehicles which were making a turn during a race grazed each other and crashed to the right side of the circuit and into a grassy area, hitting him.