The racing track at Wallerfield was certified by the Federation of International Automobiles (FIA) and all safety measures were put in place, according to sources at the T&T Automobile Sports Association (TTASA).
The claim comes even as FIA officials are said to have arrived in T&T to probe the accident on Sunday which injured five people after a driver crashed into a spectator stand at the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships.
The FIA officials are said to be here with a technical team to conduct an independent probe into the accident at the Frankie Boodram International Raceway. As such, they will seek to meet with all parties involved in the event and the driver.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday on condition of anonymity, the TTASA source said all the relevant safety measures and precautions were put in place for the event. An initial probe into the accident has revealed the car had some mechanical problems which caused it not to brake, the source said.
“This caused it to go airborne, crashing through the tyre barricade,” the source said.
The source admitted that it was sad to see people injured as a result but said the injured people’s welfare “will be looked at as top priority. It’s not that we are inhumane. Everything was blown out of proportion.”
The injured fans were identified as Kavesh Sookhan, Jynelle Maharaj, Amrika Armstrong and Tricia Persad.
In the release yesterday, TTASA and the promoters said Maharaj was discharged from the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex while the others remain warded in stable condition with serious injuries.
The driver, David Lyons, was taken to Gulf View Medical, treated and released. He is said to be traumatised by the incident but the T&T Guardian understands he has been questioned by the police, insurance officials and TTASA officials in connection with the accident.
According to the TTASA release, the incident was “highly unusual and has not been seen at Wallerfield before.”
"Members of the CMRC event team and TTASA club officials remained at the hospital throughout Sunday night to ensure that the injured persons received proper treatment and care. A report from HEROES emergency response services has been received and indicates that all necessary spinal and other precautions were taken by emergency response personal for transport to the Arima Health Facility in two ambulance units,” the release said.