A woman died when the Islamic head dress she was wearing was caught in the axle of a go-kart she was driving yesterday.
The 26-year-old Muslim had been enjoying a day out with family at the Port Stephen’s Go-Kart track in New South Wales when her hijab became caught up at high speed.
Paramedics said the Sydney woman suffered severe neck injuries and went into cardiac arrest after the hijab’s material tightened rapidly around her throat.
Shocked onlookers freed her from the kart and paramedics managed to revive her before she was airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition. She died later.
Police seized the go-kart late yesterday afternoon as a WorkCover officer arrived on the scene to begin an investigation.
Port Stephens duty officer Inspector Brian Larkham said: “While she was riding somehow part of her head-dress has got caught in the mechanism of the go-kart and tightened around her throat.”
Police said the woman and her family had been holidaying in Port Stephens prior to the accident.
Staff at the track refused to comment, citing the need for a full investigation.
Signs at the entrance of the venue warn visitors that they participate at their own risk, urging them to take care on the track.
The signs outline a number of rules, including appropriate footwear for drivers, but do not mention scarves or other forms of head-dress.
A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner