6-Year-Old Gets Killed As Veteran Rally Driver Loses Control, Two More Children Critically Injured

A Western Australian rally killed a 6-year-old boy after a car had moved into spectators. The incident injured two other children as well.

The incident took place at the Trade Hire Donnelly Rally on Saturday afternoon. The Subaru WRX rally car was driven by 44-year-old Doug Tostevin. The man lost control and rushed through temporary barriers into the crowd at around 4:30 p.m. According to the RallyWA website, the rally was held in forest between Nannup and Manjimup. It is a round of the WA Rally Championship.

The three siblings from Dalyellup were with their grandmother when the incident took place. An 8-year-old girl, one of the children who got injured in the incident, is in critical condition. The other child, a 10-year-old boy, is reported to be stable but still in serious condition. Both of them were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital via the Royal Flying Doctor Services.

RallyWA event organiser Ross Tapper called it a “truly tragic incident.” He extended “deepest sympathies” to the entire rally fraternity, the Donnelly community and the families.

Eugene Arocca said that he had been distressed by the tragic incident. "Following yesterday’s tragic incident, CAMS extends its sincere condolences to family and friends of those involved," the statement of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport CEO said, “This is a sad and tragic incident and we extend our deepest sympathies to all involved.”

West Australian police said that was not known why the driver had lost his control. According to police, the area where the spectators were standing was designated by authorities. According to police, the risk was higher due to the dirt on roads.

Senior Constable Chris Hinch said that officers would investigate dash cam footages from the car to try to find out what might have gone wrong. He added that all aspects of the accidents would be taken into consideration.

Police also said that Tostevin had been a veteran in the sport. According to reports, he has been driving for more than 25 years. Police said that Tostevin had successfully managed to navigate the same bend earlier in the day. He is a state champion. He was driving with co-driver Tammy Adams. The pair, working together for more than three years, was left unharmed.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au