Police seek witnesses to fatal Racewars crash

Police have begun appealing for witnesses with mobile phone vision of a crash which killed a 26-year-old man yesterday at motorsport event Racewars at Albany airport yesterday.

The man was critically injured when his Ford Mustang failed to slow down after the finish line at the end of the runway, crashing through a fence and bursting into flames in a paddock after flipping several times.

Police said the car broke into pieces before coming to rest and then catching fire.

The driver, who was the sole occupant, was airlifted by Royal Flying Doctor Service to Royal Perth Hospital in a critical condition with life threatening injuries, but died at 10pm.

Major Crash investigation officers today appealed for witness to come forward who may have seen the Ford Mustang prior to the crash, or the crash and has mobile phone footage.

Great Southern police district Superintendent Ian Clarke said the crash was now the subject of a coronial investigation with Major Crash officers arriving in Albany yesterday.

Supt Clarke said Racewars management had co-operated with police.

“Everyone involved is obviously devastated,” Supt Clarke said.

“They have worked really hard and made a clear effort to run a safe event.”

Racewars event director Jon Murray said yesterday “motorsport is a cruel mistress at times but we all understand the risks of participation.”