Turkish Motorsports Federation denies responsibility in horrific go-cart crash

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Tuğba Erdoğan, 24, was decapitated Feb.7 when her scarf got tangled in her safety belt during a crash on the circuit. DHA photo

The Turkish Motorsports Federation (TOSFED) has denied responsibility after a Turkish university student was decapitated in a go-cart accident on Feb.7 at a circuit located in Adapazarı, saying such commercial circuits were not under its authority.

“Even though the law requires no effort or duty from TOSFED regarding such businesses, the federation still provides help and consultation to circuits that apply to TOSFED for guidance,” the federation said in a statement released following the accident.

“TOSFED noticed the void in legal arrangements regarding such circuits, and has been offering guidance to them even though it is not required by law to do so,” the statement added.

The circuit on which the accident took place was not one of the businesses who applied to TOSFED for consultation, according to the federation.

Tuğba Erdoğan, 24, was decapitated Feb.7 when her scarf got tangled in her safety belt during a crash on the circuit. Her body was sent to her hometown of Kütahya, where her father, Süleyman Erdoğan, testified in a public lawsuit filed after the accident.

The grieved father claimed safety measures were not taken seriously at the time of the accident, noting that a similar accident had occurred a year before in which another young girl was almost killed when her hair got tangled in the car while go-carting.

“The public case was filed. I testified yesterday and filed a complaint. I will not leave this be,” the father said.