Coroner says off-road racing needs stronger fire safety rules
A Victorian coroner is recommending stronger fire safety requirements for off-road racing events, after a fatal crash in 2022 that claimed the lives of two men.
A coroner has recommended stronger fire safety rules for off-road racing events following the fatal crash in north-west Victoria in 2022. The two victims, Gerald Hoekstra and Ede Taric, survived the initial crash but died when the vehicle rapidly engulfed in flames. The coroner, Ingrid Giles, has provided three recommendations to improve competitor safety and prevent similar deaths.
The fire was likely caused by the ignition of petrol vapour rising from the spilled fuel puddling beneath the filler, as the catalytic converter was located immediately above the spilled fuel. MSA regulations required hand-held fire extinguishers, but the coroner found this inadequate and recommended a plumbed-in fire extinguisher system for better response time and protection.
The coroner also suggested mandatory self-extrication testing for competitors within 10 seconds and improved guidance for race organizers on appropriate firefighting equipment.
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