Two adults were killed and three people injured after a vehicle slammed into them at a race in Ecuador.
The tragic incident unfolded after dozens of spectators gathered along a narrow, two-lane road to celebrate the annual ‘Return to Ecuador’ race in Ambato, a city in the central province of Tungurahua, on Wednesday afternoon.
Those who died were identified as Santiago Ortiz, 52, and Daniela Espin, 21.
Ortiz’s son was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery to have both his legs amputated.
Footage filmed by one of the spectators showed the vehicle traveling at a high speed and just missed hitting two men who were recording it as it veered off the paved road.
A second video showed the race car sliding down the road and mowing down a group of fans before barreling into a parked vehicle. The car then flipped in the air.
The impact of the accident sent several spectators running from the parked vehicle, including one man who fell to the ground but immediately got back up as one of the tires just missed rolling over his body.
Online news outlet Infobae reported that the race car was just 982 feet away from crossing the finish line.
El Comercio newspaper reported that the driver, Mauricio Herdoiza, and his passenger, José Sevilla, were not injured.
Ecuadorian newspaper Extra reported that Ortiz and his son had been supporting a family member who was in the race.
Espin, a model and dancer, joined two of her sisters to watch her first race, her mother Margarita Espin told the newspaper.
Daniela’s twin sister was also injured the accident and has since been discharged from hospital
‘They went out together… and only one returned,’ Margarita heartbreakingly said.
One of Espin’s aunts told Extra that the family learned of the accident through social media and became more concerned after she failed to respond to their messages.
Ambato Mayor Luis Constante told the local media that a permit had been issued for the yearly race that’s part of the city’s tradition and that a capacity of 200 people were allowed to attend.
‘There were ambulances, paramedics, everything required by law,’ Constante said.
The Tungurahua Attorney General’s Office is investigating the accident.