Motorsport South Africa calls for an investigation
Motorsport South Africa (MSA) commissioned an investigation after two separate accidents yesterday during the King of the Mountain Gydo Hill Climb in the Ceres area in which spectators were injured.
The event was an MSA sanctioned event and the necessary permissions were obtained from both the Provincial and Local Traffic authorities, who were also in attendance at the event. The public all tar road up the Gydo Mountain Pass was closed to the public for the duration of the race, which stretched over 6.5km.
In the first incident a Chev Lumina Bakkie allegedly lost control, rolled and one spectator, Cecilia Hubering (23) sustained injuries and was transported to the Ceres Private Hospital and transferred to Durbanville Medi-Clinic.
In the second incident it appeared that another Chev Lumina Bakkie lost control and collided with spectators standing at the exit of a corner. Seven people were injured. Six who sustained minor injuries were taken to Ceres Provincial hospital and has subsequently been discharged.
Sheryl-Lee Isaacs (20) however sustained serious injuries and is still in the Tygerberg Provincial Hospital.
The event organized by the Witzenberg Motor Club was held under the auspices of MSA and had the full blessing of the local Department of Transport and Public Works who had traffic officers in attendance at the event.
Mrs Beaulah Schoeman, the Managing Director of Motorsport South Africa, expressed her deepest sympathy with the injured spectators and the two women still in hospital and wished them a speedy recovery.
Once all relevant post-event documentation has been received and perused, MSA will be in a better position to comment and will issue a media release once the investigation has been completed.
Safety for both competitors and spectators remain of paramount importance to MSA and the controlling body of the sport will continue to insist on the highest possible safety measures being in place at all its sanctioned events.
Thanks. This is the first post I can find about this incident, as some were saying that people died and this proves again how quickly people start making up stories.
There was also some organization issues and a lot of us (maybe a 1000) didn’t make it up the mountain after buying the R100 ticket. Most of us were there before 11h30 when it was said that the last buses would leave. Organizers switched of their phones and so far I couldn’t reach them by e-mail…
I have been in contact with motoring.co.za as well as wheels24.co.za they will be publishing an article soon, they are just waiting for a written response from the MSA.
Vehicle Paint Damage:
My vehicle was parked down at the picup point with everybody elses. When i got back i saw the dust marks on my vehicle. I had my vehicle washes today and the marks are still all over my vehicle. It looks like watermarks, Butt its not. Something made these permanent marks all over the vehicle. (windows, Body Paint, everywhere) I think it was acid rain, butt it did not rain.) Has anybody else found this on their vehicles.