Popayan: A tragic accident occurred during a monster truck show in Colombia on Sunday when a monster truck lost control and plowed into a large crowd of spectators, leaving at least three dead and nearly 40 injured.
According to Thai News Agency, the accident took place in Popayan, Cauca Province, in southern Colombia. The monster truck, after crossing an obstacle, veered off course, crashing through a barrier into the crowd. The vehicle came to a stop only after colliding with a power pole, amidst screams of panic from many spectators. The grim incident resulted in the deaths of at least three people, including a 10-year-old girl, and left 38 others injured, many of them seriously. The driver also sustained injuries but is currently in stable condition. In response to the incident, the governor of Cauca Province ordered the full deployment of health officials, ambulances, and firefighters to manage the situation and provide assistance to the victims.
Authorities are working to understand what led to the crash. The police chief of Popayan suspects a brake malfunction in the monster truck, which caused the driver to lose control after attempting to accelerate over an obstacle. Meanwhile, the mayor of Popayan has pledged a thorough and transparent investigation to uncover the true cause of the tragedy and identify those responsible. The mayor also emphasized the need for strict safety measures to be in place at such events to prevent future occurrences.
Monster trucks are modified pickup trucks with oversized wheels and a completely redesigned structure, including a reinforced suspension, used for performance shows or competitions.