Palm Beach County Accident at Go-Kart Track Leaves Boy with Serious Burns
A Pompano Beach child celebrating his ninth birthday suffered serious burns at Palm Beach International Raceway, when the go-kart he was driving went out of control, flipped, and burst into flames. A news report stated that the child was trapped in the burning vehicle for about 30 seconds until bystanders rescued him. His nylon suit was not fire resistant, and the child was driving his own go-kart when the vehicle accident occurred.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that although all parents are required to sign a waiver before their children use the kart track, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office was investigating this case. Following the accident, the boy was reported to be in critical condition at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Burn Center
It is unclear whether Florida premises liability laws may come to bear on this case. The same news source reported that no track officials responded on scene immediately when the accident occurred. In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was unsure whether the go-kart would fall under its jurisdiction for product liability; the CPSC monitors product safety for thousands of consumer products.
The CPSC issued a report on go kart safety in 2000, which estimated that 113 children under age 15 died as a result of go-kart accidents from 1990 to 1999. In the year 1999, an estimated 12,600 children under 15 were treated in hospitals for go-kart accidents. Most of the accidents involved boys age 8 or older and were a result of collision with other vehicles or with stationary objects, loss of stability, or falling from the vehicle. (Source: Go - Kart Related Injuries & Deaths to Children, CPSC, Sept. 2000.)
Since 1983, at least 9 drivers have died from crashes at Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Florida, which was once known as Moroso Motorsports Park. The track draws in tourists, racing fans, and other spectators who come to see drag racing, drift car racing, and other competitive racing events. Karting "arrive & drive packages" are offered to the public as a recreational activity.
Pompano Beach boy burned in Palm Beach County go-kart crash
South Florida Sun Sentinel May 27, 2009
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