PENARTH Town Council has released a statement after the crash during the downhill derby which saw air ambulance on the scene as one contestant was injured and the festival had to be cut short.
The people of Penarth would have been relieved to know Penarth’s biggest event of the year – the summer festival and downhill derby were going ahead for 2024 having been cancelled in 2023 due to bad weather, however this year’s event was cut short after police and emergency services including air ambulance had to attend the derby in the final phase of races when a man fell off a kart.
Penarth Town Council, who organise the event, have been asked by Penarth Times whether they will look to review safety conditions for the race.
In response a council spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the gentleman who was injured on Saturday. The town council wishes him a speedy recovery.
“Until formal investigations are concluded, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A man fell off the back of a four-man kart said to be run by Cardiff Gas Ltd during the third and final racing section of the derby and required extensive medical assistance including from Air Ambulance.
The Dafen-based Air Ambulance crew were allocated at 3.43pm and arrived at the scene at 3.52pm, with their involvement concluding at 6.25pm.
Shortley after the incident the rest of the Downhill Derby was cancelled and then, due to the extensive medical treatment the man required, the rest of the festival on Penarth Esplanade was packed up.
![Cliff Hill, where the event takes place, was closed after the incident]()
Cliff Hill, where the event takes place, was closed after the incident (Image: Newsquest)
Timeline of events in incident at Penarth’s Downhill Derby 2024
- 2pm – Downhill derby starts with time trials
- 3.10pm- Final segment; the races begin
- 3.30pm – Man is injured
- 3.40pm – Rest of downhill derby is cancelled
- 6pm – Cliff Hill still closed off by police
- 7.30pm – Police issue update saying contestant did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
Injuries not thought to be life-threatening in Penarth Downhill Derby crash
South Wales Police have confirmed the man injured is thought not to have suffered life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
In a statement issued at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 13, a police spokesperson said: “A participant in the event, who was taken to hospital following an accident during the Penarth Downhill Derby, sustained injuries but these are not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.
“Officers attended to assist with crowd safety in the area.”
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