PEDRO CALADO EXPRESSES “DEEP SORROW” FOR THE DEATH OF A CHILD DURING THE MADEIRA WINE RALLY

Tobi Hughes·
Madeira News

There is only one thing on everyone’s mind this Sunday, and that’s of the tragic accident last night on the final of what would have been the best Rally ever in Madeira.

There are no words for how the family and poor rally diver must be feeling, and I can only hope they get all the support they need.

The president of CMF and co-driver of Alexandre Camacho in the rally, Pedro Calado, has already reacted to the death of the child who died yesterday after being hit by a car at the Rally Vinho Madeira.

It is with great consternation that the Mayor of Funchal, Pedro Calado, regrets the death of a child, victim of a car accident, which occurred this Saturday, during the last qualifying of the Rally Vinho Madeira 2022.

In this difficult and painful moment for the entire Madeiran community, particularly for the organizing committee and participants of the Rally, the mayor of Funchal expresses “deep regret” and offers his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young spectator.

There was no atmosphere. The faces of the officials and the reaction of the drivers did not hide the sadness that invaded everyone at the final podium party.

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Tobi Hughes

9 Responses

  1. I would have hoped that your article would have given reassurance that there will be a review of safety for spectators. I havent read any of the details of this incident but I am aware that there is a tendency for spectators to gather on the outside of bends without any protection from a car cornering wide. I was brought up in the hills of Wales and the hazards were widely recognised and marshals enforced safety precautions for road rallies.

    1. Safety at this Rally is (from what I have seen) very good. Lots of police, lots of tape, lots of barriers, clear guidance on where to stand and where not to stand, and so on. This accident did not occur on a corner, but from a person straying out into the road mid-stage. This could happen anywhere in the world and on any Rally. The Madeira Rally is very well organised with three course cars running through ahead of the competitors to fully warn everyone that the stage is about to begin, and a final course car to show that the stage has ended. The accident involved a mid-field runner, so it was not a case of the first (or last) car through.

      Like Wales, rallying is in the blood of Madeira and it is taken very seriously. Accidents still happen. Short of banning rallying completely, I’m not sure what can really be done.

      It was a horrific and tragic accident and my thoughts go out to all involved, from the family of the little girl, to the driver and co-driver of the car. I shed a tear last night as just moments before before this accident, I had been enjoying watching the stage (in a safe location, behind a stone barrier) with my 9yr old son.

  2. I totally agree. From what I understand, the parents were crossing the road and the little girl followed them. Where were the safety stewards? Where were the guard rails? 2 months ago, the famous rally driver Pedro Paixão died in Porto Santo. What many of you probably don’t know is that he died doing a “wheelie” and crashed into a wall, as witnessed by a friend. This was kept quiet by all concerned to avoid embarrassment. We see this almost every night in estrada Monumental, even during the day. You may say ” why don’t you call the police”? but it would too late. What is needed in both these cases is police patrols and a programme of educating people in safety and prevention of such tragedies.

    1. I fear there is no education possible for some. Really, we need a programme to tell adults “don’t cross the road when a race car has just gone by and another one’s coming”? That is just basic common sense and cannot be taught. At some point, people need to take responsibility for their own safety. There can’t be a guard for every single spectator and people should not put themselves, the driver and everyone else there in mortal danger by going out onto the track uninvited. Moronic.

    2. Yup if caught doing wheelie’s..or riding excessive speeds especially on the motorway…these drivers need to be banned and fined for a few years ..

      They are a danger to other responsible people…

  3. “The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”

    ― Dorothy Nevill

  4. Well if the advice of the organizers was not to across the road why this couple did across the road ? Shows very clear that some people don’t take serious this type of advice . If it was me I wouldn’t across the road in any circumstances .

    1. I agree with you. It amazes me that any adult (or honestly, even a teenager) who doesn’t have a death wish would think it makes sense to cross the road while a race is ongoing, let alone take children across with them! I didn’t know people did this. It’s a miracle the others survived. I still feel sad when I see the photo of the child.

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