Horrific crash as rally car smashed control tower killing one marshal, second fighting for life

Race marshal Vasily Elizarov, 54, died on the way to the hospital, and his assistant, Natalia Koreneva, 34, is now fighting for her life in intensive care after the shocking incident at the Rally Siberia in Omsk.

Her relatives ask locals to donate the blood for her. A mother of one, she suffered a serious head injury and is in a 'grave condition' in hospital. 

The driver of the car which smashed into the control post, Vyacheslav Kholmogorov, 39, from Chita, climbed out of the wreckage with only minor injuries. The crash occurred a second after his car was rammed by a racer from Tyumen, Nikolay Kumanek, 38. 

Both marshals are seen as they are thrown out of the tower when the car hits the tower. Kholmogorov emerged from the debris and seeing both marshals on the ground shouted: 'Please, call an ambulance.'

An investigation is now underway by the police and Investigative Committee to determine if there was criminal negligence. It is understood the focus will be on Kumanek's driving ahead of the smash, rather than Kholmogorov's. It is reported Kumanek deleted his dashcam footage after the crash.  

Alexey Kostyakov, chairman of the board of judges of the Federation of Automobile Sports of the Trans-Baikal region, said: 'This crash, in my opinion, should be qualified as an accident, which often occur at such events associated with a certain risk.

'At this speed after the collision, the car becomes unmanageable, and the driver becomes simply a passenger. Obviously that Kholmogorov could not prevent the crash. The fact that the tower was in his way was is an accident.' 

The head of the regional federation of motor racing in Omsk region, an organiser of the rally, Evgeny Kharchenko said: 'It was an accident. There was an unfortunate situation two drivers were competing and one flew so high that he rammed the tower.'

He said the 'towers' or posts used by marshals fulfilled all regulations. 

'We will provide all necessary financial assistance to the relatives of the marshal. Our sports community has formed a foundation, because we are one big family - drivers and judges. 

'We will fully support and assist. It is a dangerous sport and risky, so everyone knows what can happen.'