5 dead in drag racing tragedy
2004-08-09 19:48
Pretoria - The death toll following a drag-racing smash outside Mabopane north of Pretoria has risen to five, North West police said on Monday.
Four men died when a car swerved to avoid a second which was spinning on the Odi race track in Kgabalatsane and ploughed into spectators watching from the sidelines, said Inspector Matthew Nkoadi.
He said a fifth spectator died on Monday afternoon, while two others were still in a critical condition in the George Mukhari hospital.
According to Nkoadi the driver of the car escaped injury and was arrested on charges of culpable homicide.
He would appear in the Ga-Rankuwa magistrate's court on Tuesday, said Nkoadi.
"The Odi race track used to be an airport but it's no longer in use.
"Apparently these drivers have some agreement with the village chief to use the track but it's the first time that there's been an accident in a year," Nkoadi said.
All the deceased were from Mabopane and Soshanguve.
- SAPA