KOTA TINGGI: Rider Hafiz Nor Azman, 22, died tragically in a freak accident during the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix championships at Dataran Bandar Penawar, Johor, today.
The tragedy happened at about 4pm during the last lap of the 20-lap race when Hafiz was riding for Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ Racing in the CP150 event.
It is learnt that Hafiz, the son of former motorcycle racer, Nor Azman Mad Darus, died on arrival at Hospital Kota Tinggi.
Nor Azman said the accident was believed to have happened when a rider in front of his son hit a barrier at the side of the track, causing a piece of it to fly into the middle of the track.
“My son was unable to avoid the object and it caused him to crash. Hafiz became unconscious and he passed away at the hospital.”
Hafiz’s teammate, Fakhrusy Syakirin, 22, said: “|I saw him fall and his shoulder became trapped by the barrier, and his chest was hit too.”