TryGOLD- Free

Patrons say Batam go-kart circuit where S'porean died in crash had safety issues
The Straits Times|March 03, 2024
Man recounts son’s accident, says there was no Safety briefing or proper helmets
- Andrew Wong & Zaihan Mohamed Yusof
Patrons say Batam go-kart circuit where S'porean died in crash had safety issues

Karting enthusiasts who have frequented circuits in Batam say venues there lack basic safety features, such as proper track safety barriers and full-face helmets.

Mr Lai, who visited Golden City Go-Kart in Batam in 2019 with his family, claimed there was no safety briefing before the 15-minute ride.

The 41-year-old engineer, who declined to give his full name, said participants were given hairnets, and told to pick their helmets.

"We had to pick out helmets from a rack, but I could tell they were not proper helmets," he said, adding that most lacked a face shield and were open-faced, which meant they lacked jaw protection.

"It was straight to the karts after.

The only thing I remember was the staff telling us that the right pedal was for acceleration, and the left was for braking," said Mr Lai, who contacted The Sunday Times after a friend alerted him to news reports of an accident at the Golden City Go-Kart on Feb 21, which claimed the life of Ms Arini Mohamed Adinan.

The Singaporean was killed the day after she turned 33, when her kart crashed at high speed into a barrier lined with tyres.

Mr Lai said he booked a pair of two-seater karts when he was at the circuit. His wife was in one with their son, then six, while he took the wheel of the second kart with his five-year-old son.

Despite the lack of a security briefing, he decided to go ahead with the ride as he had prior experience at other tracks.

After about 15 minutes on the track, they returned to the pit area.

Mr Lai said that as his wife and six year-old son were getting out of their kart, another kart crashed into them.

"I heard some screams from the crowd, and saw a kart coming into the pit area at high speed," he said, adding that the driver did not appear to slow down.

This story is from the March 03, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 03, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
Lionesses' New War Cry - Play To Win
The Straits Times

Lionesses' New War Cry - Play To Win

Coach Bencherifa credits 'mindset shift' to overseas players; looks to 2025's big events

time-read
3 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Trump's foreign aid freeze hurts Indonesian health programmes and aid workers
The Straits Times

Trump's foreign aid freeze hurts Indonesian health programmes and aid workers

Efforts to fight against HIV/Aids and towards tuberculosis eradication may be affected

time-read
4 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Qualifier Lee hopes S'pore Classic sets tone for 2025
The Straits Times

Qualifier Lee hopes S'pore Classic sets tone for 2025

Singapore's Brayden Lee will tee up for the biggest tournament of his career in March, after the 17-year-old qualified for the Porsche Singapore Classic on Feb 18.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025
An election Budget? Maybe not in the way you think
The Straits Times

An election Budget? Maybe not in the way you think

There is little doubt Budget 2025 is an election Budget.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Incentives to boost adoption of electric heavy vehicles, fast charger installation
The Straits Times

Incentives to boost adoption of electric heavy vehicles, fast charger installation

Road tax for such vehicles and buses will rise to account for loss of fuel excise duties

time-read
3 mins  |
February 19, 2025
More help for seniors, including those living in private property
The Straits Times

More help for seniors, including those living in private property

Seniors will get more help to outfit their homes with age-friendly features, pay for their medical needs and receive higher subsidies should they require long-term care.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025
Benefits for families with three or more young children
The Straits Times

Benefits for families with three or more young children

Couples will get up to $16,000 in additional support for each third and subsequent child

time-read
3 mins  |
February 19, 2025
The Straits Times

HDB carparks ● Barriers will be lifted during a fire

We refer to Mr Sim Eng Cheong's letter \"Do more to ensure vehicles can leave carpark quickly during fire\" (Feb 3) and Dr Yik Keng Yeong's letter \"Flee carpark fire first and worry about vehicle later\" (Feb 4).

time-read
1 min  |
February 19, 2025
S'pore companies to receive more funding support to train staff
The Straits Times

S'pore companies to receive more funding support to train staff

Companies with at least three Singaporean and permanent resident employees will receive a fresh $10,000 credit as part of efforts to help employers defray out-of-pocket costs for workforce transformation.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025
The Straits Times

Books Kinokuniya at Takashimaya Downsizing

Books Kinokuniya's flagship store in Takashimaya Shopping Centre in Orchard Road will have its size reduced, with the vacated space taken over by, among others, a new cafe.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 19, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more