A near tragedy at Tawau motor race

Tawau: The two-day Third Tawau Motor Club Sports (TMCS) carnival at the old airport here was nearly marred by tragedy Sunday when one of the racing cars taking part skidded and crashed into a Civil Defence Corp (JPA3) ambulance.

Fortunately the 32-year-old driver and four female personnel on duty in the ambulance escaped without critical injury in the 11am incident, which resulted in cancellation of the subsequent last three races.


The driver, Ung Heng Wha, sustained broken ribs following the impact of the incident while the four others - Sapardiana Garto, Norhayati Kassim, Aishah Anjung and Halija Ali - aged between 24 and 40 sustained minor injuries.

Ung was said to have lost control of the wheel as his Toyota was reaching the finishing line and crashed into the ambulance parked on the right grassy side of the track.

An organising committee member, Mohd Iqbal Haji Khalid, believed Ung would have managed to regain control of the car if he had stepped on the brake, instead of continue to accelerate.

District Police Chief ACP Haji Idris Jikon ordered a halt to the remaining three other races but the closing ceremony for the other events proceeded because there were winners.

Rural Development Assistant Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan officiated the closing ceremony. District Police Traffic and Public Order Chief DSP Teh Cheng San said they are still investigating into the crash.


http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=44090