Boy injured in freak accident at Dover

Glenroy Sinclair, Asignment Coordinator

An emotional crowd stood dumbstruck, waiting eagerly for several minutes, anticipating that David Summerbell Jr was badly injured.

After a dramatic and exciting clash with arch-rival Doug Gore in one of the Modified Production Class races at yesterday's Heroes of Speed race meet, the Caribbean's top circuit-racing driver experienced brake failure and flew off the track into the bushes.

For a moment, the Dover compound was tense, as everyone pondered the unexpected spectacle.

Amid the tension and anxiety, curious motorsport fans ignored repeated warnings to stay off the track, as the race was still in progress.

Some ran to the accident scene and, in the process, it is understood that two persons, including a young boy, was hit by one of the cars in the race, driven by Troye Riley.

The boy was rushed to the St Ann's Bay hospital by an ambulance that was on the spot. An update from meet organises assured that the boy was in a stable condition.

Member of Parliament Othneil Lawrence identified the injured boy as a resident of nearby Brown's Town, St Ann.

With a sea of fans on the track, racing was halted for a short while. Minutes later, Summerbell emerged unscratched.

"After the race, I saw Doug Gore stop. Because of my speed, I swerved to avoid a collision. I stepped on the brake three times and got nothing," said Summerbell, who is preparing for the final leg of the Caribbean Motoring Racing Championship.

A later update from meet officials said while Summerbell is fine, his car is not. It was taken off the track by a wrecker. It actually lifted off the ground and flew over Gore's car on the way to the bushes, but fortunately landed in a sand area.

Summerbell had the first lien on the Alfred Chen Memorial Trophy. However, he will not be able to defend that crown. Also, he may not be able to defend the Caribbean driver championship that he is leading at this time, as his car was scheduled to leave tomorrow for Guyana for the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motorsport Championship.

To retire the trophy, a driver must win three consecutive races or post five liens, whichever comes first.