A rally car accident in northwest Hungary resulted in the deaths of four people and left eight others injured on Sunday, March 24, 2024.
The race, identified as part of the Esztergom-Nyerges rally circuit, was abruptly interrupted when a competing vehicle lost control, veering from the road and into an area where spectators were gathered. Video evidence on social media captured the car skidding off the road and colliding with the crowd in a cloud of dust.
The police department of Komarom-Esztergom County confirmed that the crash occurred during a competition route between the towns of Labatlan and Bajot, adjacent to the Danube River.
Based on a witness’s account, the car, a Skoda Fabia R5, was speeding from Lábatlan when it encountered trouble just before the speed-reducing zone. The car became unmanageable and struck people in proximity. Subsequently, the out-of-control vehicle collided with the fence of a construction company’s property, situated approximately 20 feet from the road.
It remains uncertain if the onlookers were situated in a prohibited area. According to Kata Répásy, the event’s press officer, every rally stage has specific zones off-limits to spectators, which the staff routinely patrols. She mentioned that this event marked the season’s first, potentially drawing an unusually large crowd—rumored to be upwards of a thousand people—though this figure isn’t officially confirmed. She emphasized the impossibility of monitoring everyone’s whereabouts during the event.
Response teams, consisting of eight ambulances and four helicopters, were immediately sent to the scene. Amongst the injured, two— including a child—suffered serious injuries. Another six people, one of whom is also a child, received treatment for injuries of a less critical nature.
The Komarom-Esztergom County police have said that the cause of the accident is still under investigation. Immediate actions taken at the scene included the suspension of the race and efforts by onlookers and event organizers to provide first aid to those injured, pending the arrival of professional medical services.
The incident has sparked discussions within the rally racing community about the implementation and effectiveness of safety protocols during such events. The ongoing investigation aims to understand the dynamics that led to the crash, with the ultimate goal of preventing similar incidents in the future.
The identities of the deceased and injured have not been disclosed to the public pending notification to their kin.
The Hungarian National Motorsport Association has conveyed its sympathies to the families of those who perished. It has stated that it is working jointly with officials to scrutinize the details of the mishap. Until the inquiry reaches a conclusion, it prefers to refrain from making any statements.
