KERRVILLE, Texas — A driver misplaced management throughout a Texas drag racing occasion on an airport runway and slammed right into a crowd of spectators, killing two kids and injuring eight different individuals, authorities mentioned.

A 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy have been killed within the crash Saturday afternoon at an occasion referred to as “Airport Race Wars 2” on the Kerrville-Kerr County Airport, police mentioned in a launch. The occasion was attended by 1000’s and concerned drivers dashing down a runway as they competed for money.

The motive force “misplaced management and left the runway, crashing into parked autos and placing spectators who have been observing the races,” Kerrville police mentioned.

The injured victims have been taken to numerous hospitals, together with a 46-year-old girl who was listed in crucial situation. Nearly all of the opposite accidents weren’t believed to be life-threatening, though the situation of a 26-year-old man was unknown, authorities mentioned. A 4-year-old boy and a 3-month-old woman have been taken to a hospital for precautionary evaluations.

Authorities haven’t launched the identities of the 2 kids who have been killed on the occasion about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio.

The Kerrville Conference and Guests Bureau’s web site promoted the occasion as an “action-packed, family-friendly day” wherein followers might watch the “quickest drag vehicles compete for over $8,000 in complete prizes.”

Upward of three,500 individuals have been in attendance, in line with Louis Amestoy, a contract journalist who was on the occasion.

The race was an eighth of a mile lengthy, and water-filled plastic limitations lined the course. However Amestoy mentioned they did not prolong previous the end line, leaving no safety between spectators and vehicles as they have been slowing down on the finish of the race.

Spectators might get inside about 15 toes of the observe, and plenty of watched the race from garden chairs within the absence of stands. Organizers reminded individuals to remain within the grass and off the asphalt, Amestoy advised The Related Press.

The motive force was nearing the tip of the strip when the automotive veered astray, Amestoy mentioned.