Eight Dead at California 200

Eight people are dead and another dozen injured after an off-road truck lost control and drove into the crowd at a race known as the California 200. According to The Associated Press (08/15/10), the truck crash came shortly after the race began, in the Mojave Desert. Officials said it took rescue workers more than 30 minutes to reach the location.

Six people died at the scene and another two people died in hospital. Most of the 12 injured spectators were airlifted to hospital.

Spectators said the truck went over a jump called "the rockpile" and sailed into the crowd. Some of the injured were crushed beneath the truck. The truck's driver was not injured but had to escape angry spectators, some of who threw rocks at the driver.

The California 200 involves off-road vehicles taking jumps and driving through other obstacles. They can reach speeds up to 100 mph during the race, which was scheduled to last most of the night The Associated Press reports.

Eight Dead at California 200

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