THE positioning of marshals at the annual Abingdon Motorsports CAR-nival is being reviewed after a rally car left the track and seriously injured two people at the weekend.

The car lost control, left the Dalton Barracks circuit and ploughed into two marshals and a cameraman last Sunday.

The marshals, a 60-year-old man from Yateley, Hampshire, and an 18-year-old from Camberley, Surrey, and a 22-year-old photographer from High Wycombe, were taken to hospital. Two air ambulances were called.

The two marshals were this week reported to be in serious, but stable conditions in hospital.

The photographer, who was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, was released a few hours later and was able to attend the rally’s evening awards ceremony.

Event organiser Barry Guess said: “I am very sorry the event did not go as planned, but everyone still enjoyed the CAR-nival.

“I regret what happened and my thoughts are with the people concerned. We have been keeping in close contact, constantly checking their conditions.

“The position of where those marshals were, we believe, was inappropriate.

“It had worked for 12 years, but didn’t work this year.

“I have to look at exactly where their posts were before I can make a judgement call and implement anything that needs to be done in time for next year’s event.”

The driver of the red and white Ford Escort Cosworth and his co-driver were treated for shock after the incident, which happened at 9.25am.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “The 22-year-old was released from the John Radcliffe Hospital on Sunday afternoon.

“An 18-year-old was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and a 60-year-old was taken to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. Both remain in a serious, but stable condition.”

The two-day CAR-nival attracted about 1,000 visitors.

Mr Guess said: “The spectators were aware of what was going on, but were confined to a controlled area and were almost fenced in.

“We plan for these things and hope they never happen, but, unfortunately, it did.”

The rally, organised by Abingdon Motorsport, raised funds for two charities — Stowford House, near Shippon, which provides long-term care for people with learning difficulties and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Mr Guess said: “We will have raised somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000.

“With the exception of the incident, all other aspects ran perfectly.”

A spokesman for the Vale of White Horse District Council said: “The council’s duty environmental officer was called out.

“Our officers met police on Monday and visited the site again. The investigation is at a very early stage, so further information cannot be given at this time.”

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said it would provide technical support if required.