Illegal car stunt kills Bahraini, injured eight

Manama : A Bahraini man was killed and eight others were seriously injured in an accident during an illegal car stunt gathering in the Southern Governorate, near Bahrain International Circuit, in the wee hours of Saturday.

According to reports, a Bahraini driver, who was performing illegal car stunts and racing manoeuvres, took a horrible turn when he lost control of his American-made Muscle car. As a result, the car ploughed through the crowd that gathered to watch the stunts on Bahrain Bay Highway.

Interior Ministry announced in a statement yesterday that “one person died and others sustained serious injuries in a traffic accident in Al Areen area towards Bahrain Bay Highway.”

Eyewitnesses said the driver was over speeding, like other drivers, who gathered there to flaunt their sports vehicles.

“He lost control of the vehicle while racing against another driver. The car mowed down the bystanders and several vehicles that were parked on the roadside. Some of the victims were stuck under the collided metal and the driver escaped the scene with the help of his friends,” an eyewitness and relative of the deceased, told DT News on condition of anonymity yesterday.

In another development, Traffic Police Traffic Acting Director General stated, “The driver involved in the fatal accident was arrested. He will have to face legal action.”

According to the relative, the deceased, Ahmed Jalal, was in his early twenties. “His body is now in Bahrain Defence Force Hospital Morgue. None of his prime family members are in Bahrain. They’re spending summer vacation abroad. His father is supposed to reach Bahrain tonight (Saturday) and the funeral will be announced tomorrow (Sunday).”

He added that another victim, identified as Mohammed Abdulaziz, who’s also in his early twenties, survived the tragedy, but got both legs amputated.