22-2-2024 (JAKARTA) A Singaporean woman tragically lost her life in a go-karting accident on the Indonesian island of Batam. The incident occurred on Wednesday (Feb 21) at Golden City Go Kart in Bengkong, where the victim was participating in the popular recreational activity.
According to Senior Superintendent Zahwani Pandra Arsyad of the Riau Islands regional police, the incident took place around 3:30 pm local time (4:30 pm Singapore time). An eyewitness stated that the victim, identified as a 33-year-old Singaporean woman, was driving go-kart number 14 and had completed two laps on the circuit. However, tragedy struck when the go-kart, driven at high speed, collided with a barrier.
The witness, an employee working in the game room, rushed to the scene and noticed that the victim’s helmet had been dislodged due to the impact. Shockingly, the woman’s hair had become entangled in one of the go-kart’s wheels. It was reported that the victim had not followed the go-kart operator’s recommendation to wear a hair net, which could have potentially prevented the accident.
Following the incident, the victim was immediately transported to a nearby clinic. Tragically, despite efforts to save her life, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her body was subsequently transferred to Budi Kemuliaan Hospital.
In response to the incident, the Barelang Resort Police launched an investigation into the matter. Senior Superintendent Zahwani emphasized the importance of operators of tourist attractions adhering to standard operating procedures that prioritize the safety and well-being of visitors. He stated that legal action would be taken if negligence on the part of the operator was discovered. Furthermore, he highlighted the responsibility of operators to supervise and manage the places visited by tourists.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Singapore confirmed that the Consulate-General in Batam has been providing consular assistance and support to the grieving family of the deceased. The MFA expressed its commitment to assisting the family during this difficult time.
