Just yesterday morning (11th March), the unthinkable happened when a car rammed into runners at the annual Run Out Marathon in Kuantan, Pahang. Four runners were injured and immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Since yesterday’s incident, police investigations unveiled some important information along with other developments. Here’s a summary of what has happened so far.
1. The runners were hit by a car driven by a marathon volunteer
Source: MMO
According to the Malay Mail Online, four runners were injured at around 8.25am yesterday when a volunteer at the marathon accidentally drove into them. Kuantan police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Noor Yusof Ali reportedly said,
“She tried to brake her car so she could give directions to the runners, however she is believed to have lost control of the vehicle and it veered to the left before hitting the runners.”
The four runners who were hit, Ahmad Fakhri Sulaiman (31), Chua Yennie (21), Nurul Huda Ahmad Razali (31), and Haslinda Othman (41), were immediately sent to the International Islamic University Hospital and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan.
Source: MMO
The runners reportedly sustained head, face, leg, and arm injuries.
“I was just running and then I heard a loud noise from behind. Everything happened so fast, like the blink of an eye, and I was just shocked. Before I knew it, I was thrown to the ground in pain,” Nurul Huda told The Star Online. She was reportedly just a few hundred metres from the finish line when the accident occurred.
2. Police are now looking for witnesses
Source: Sinar Harian
Now, in light of yesterday’s incident, local police are currently looking for eyewitnesses to help with investigations.
Meanwhile, they will also be taking statements from the marathon’s participants along with its organisers. According to Sinar Harian, authorities brought the marathon volunteer to the Kuantan Police Headquarters’ Narcotics department for a urine and blood test.
3. The marathon organiser has since addressed the incident
Source: @runoutmarathon | Instagram
After word of the accident began to circulate, the marathon’s organiser, Run Out Marathon, took to Instagram yesterday to explain the situation. An excerpt from their statement reads,
“We would like to thank all of those who have participated in our marathon and all of those who have enjoyed it. Overall, our 2018 marathon has been successful until a very unfortunate accident occurred to 4 of our brave runners during the race. Nonetheless, none of the cases are fatal and we are monitoring closely on the recovery of our runners.”
“Although the race routes were highly ensured and (we) doubled on traffic and safety patrols as compared to previous years, there seem to be false rumours that the accident happened due to the carelessness of an internal party.”
Source: @runoutmarathon | Instagram
“The organizers’ internal team operated merely in the carnival area and by the race routes’ water stations and maintained professionalism and dedication at all times of this event.”
“For this reason, we would like the public to know that the safety of our runners has always been our top priority and we will constantly work harder every year to enhance it.”
They ended their statement clarifying that the situation was being investigated by the authorities and that they are taking this matter very seriously.
4. Relevant organisations are meeting to prevent such events from recurring
Source: @runoutmarathon | Instagram
Considering the fact that this isn’t the first time that people have been injured in accidents during a marathon, sports associations, district government departments, non-governmental organisations and event organisers will have a meeting to ensure that such terrible incidents will never happen again.
Whatever it is, let’s hope that the authorities investigate this incident accordingly and that the organisers do better to make sure something like this doesn’t repeat itself. Meanwhile, we wish the 4 injured runners a speedy recovery!
Also read: 4 Shocking Things That Happened at Last Weekend’s Klang City International Marathon
