8-year-old girl is hit and killed by a rally car ‘after crossing a circuit to see her sister’
8-year-old girl is hit and killed by a rally car ‘after crossing a circuit to see her sister’
- A tragedy happened during the 63rd edition of the Madeira Wine Rally in Madeira
- She was rushed to hospital, but died shortly afterwards at Dr. Nelio Mendonca Hospital.
- Reports said she had mistakenly believed the last vehicle had already passed
An eight-year-old girl was killed during a rally in Madeira.
The girl was reportedly hit by a speeding car as she crossed the road to join two older children, including her sister.
Local reports said she had mistakenly believed the last vehicle had already passed when she decided to race on the rally circuit.
She was rushed to hospital following the accident on Saturday afternoon, but died shortly after arriving at Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital in Funchal, the island’s capital.
The tragedy happened during the 63rd edition of the Madeira Wine Rally, Madeira’s most prestigious and historic motor racing event.
Local reports said she had mistakenly believed the last vehicle had already passed when she decided to race on the rally circuit
Television footage showed the moment the car which hit the girl came to rest in a cloud of white smoke after the crash as shocked onlookers made their way to the crash scene to help, although the footage of the collision itself have been pixelated.
Television footage showed the moment the car which hit the girl came to rest in a cloud of white smoke after the crash as shocked onlookers made their way to the crash scene to help, although the footage of the collision itself have been pixelated.
The girl, who has not been named, received prompt medical attention in the Encumeada region of Madeira where the tragedy occurred before being taken to hospital.
Witnesses said the older girl and another youngster believed to be a friend had just crossed the road without incident when the eight-year-old attempted the same crossing and was struck.
One said: “I’m sure she didn’t see the car coming. It was going really fast.
The tragedy happened during the 63rd edition of the Madeira Wine Rally, Madeira’s most prestigious and historic motor racing event. Pictured: Belgian driver Freddy Loix in a Skoda Fabia S2000 during the 2010 rally
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: ‘I send my condolences to the bereaved family and friends’
Rally organizers said in a statement: “We regrettably confirm that the youngster involved in an accident was unable to survive the injuries she sustained.”
“At this painful time, we would like to send our condolences to his family and friends.”
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: “I send my condolences to the family and friends who are grieving.’ The FIA joins the organizers and participants of the Rali Vinho da Madeira in Portugal, round 3 of the FIA Iberian Rally Trophy, sending our deepest condolences to the family of the young spectator who died following an incident during stage 17.’
A statement released by the FIA, the world motorsport governing body, said:
The Madeira Wine Rally brings thousands of spectators to the roads to watch the drivers compete over the hilly terrain and natural landscapes of the island. It is traditionally held at the end of summer, in August or at the end of July. The first edition took place in 1959.
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