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HEBER CITY— A flying metal rod hit and injured three people in attendance at a demolition derby on Saturday night.
Video obtained by KSL shows a truck hitting another vehicle, loosening a 50-pound driving shaft from underneath the second vehicle. The metal object flew toward the audience and struck three people in the stands. A second video obtained by KSL shows one injured individual taken from the stands on a stretcher.
Officials at Heber Valley Medical Center said Sunday it received two people Saturday who were hit by debris at the event.
“It was kind of chaotic because everyone just like rushed to us to see what happened,” said Liam Duke, who was hit by the metal rod. “I was just in so much shock. I didn't know I was hit until like three seconds later.”
“It was crazy,” said Liam’s father, Will Duke. “It's like it shot it off out of a rocket or something.”
Liam Duke was hit in the foot by the rod. He has a sore foot, but overall, he said he feels lucky. His mother, Sonya Duke, didn't fair as well, as she suffered a broken ankle and deep cut on her leg after being hit by the metal object. She is recovering from leg surgery and is feeling much better, according to the family.
“Looking at the brighter side of things, it could have been a lot worse,” said Will Duke.
Another person injured was taken to Utah Valley Medical Center and that person continues to recover from injuries sustained in the accident.
Heber City says the derby complies with state regulations and couldn't have anticipated what happened.
“We have the cars inspected,” said director of parks and recreation Tom Donner. “We have professional inspectors, mechanics that inspect these cars to make sure these cars are following the rules and that they are safe to be in the arena. It just is an unfortunate accident."
KSL employee Jodi Saeland attended the event with her family and witnessed the incident. She said the derby was halted for about 30 minutes and that medical personnel were already at the event just in case anything happened to the drivers.
"It was bizarre. I've never seen that happen," she said. "Talking to the drivers afterward, they said they've been doing it 10-12 years and they have never seen a piece go up into the audience."
Contributing: Carter Williams, Ashton Goodell
