Girl dies in front of family when speedboat blasts onto sand

Girl, six, is killed in beach speedboat horror: Child dies in front of her family when out-of-control vessel blasts onto the sand and runs over her while racing

• The girl was playing on the beach while island locals held a speedboat drag race
• The race winner lost control and shot onto land, hitting the six-year-old girl

A six-year-old girl has been killed on a Philippines beach in a tragic speedboat racing accident after the driver lost control and blasted onto the sand. 

Sciamira Ziah Banquil was playing along the shore while local villagers were holding a speedboat drag race at Paliton Beach on Siquijor Island on Sunday, May 21.

As the speedboats circled back towards the beach, the race winner lost control and shot onto land, running over the youngster and hitting spectator Alixa Buhian, 24, who suffered a head injury.

The surrounding water was tinged red with blood following the accident. Horrific footage showed the aftermath as locals tended to the victims.

Sciamira and Alixa were rushed to a hospital. However, the child was declared dead on arrival due to her grave wounds.

Sciamira Ziah Banquil, 6, was playing along the shore when the driver lost control and blasted onto the sand

Locals stand around the damage in shock after the boat shot onto land, running over the youngster and hitting another spectator who suffered a head injury

San Juan police officers have now detained the boat driver James Sumalpong, who has declined to give a statement.

Sciamira’s devastated father Joe Pro Banquil said: ‘The driver suddenly accelerated when he was approaching the shore.

‘It happened so fast I couldn’t run to my daughter in time.’

The six-year-old’s cousin Jerby Factularin said: ‘The family are all heartbroken. Everyone loved Sciamira so much. Now we want justice for her.’

San Juan Police investigator Police Master Sergeant Carry Grencio said: ‘Based on our investigation, the driver struck the victims while they were on the shore after his engine malfunctioned.

‘They were rushed to the Siquijor Provincial Hospital, but the girl was declared dead on arrival. The organisers had a permit to hold the boat race.’

San Juan police officers have now detained the boat driver James Sumalpong after the boat rocketed onto land and killed the six-year-old

The boat damage is shown following the incident where the race winner lost control and shot onto land

People on the beach huddle together on Paliton Beach following the devastating incident that left the six-year-old dead 

Sciamira’s (pictured) devastated father Joe Pro Banquil said: ‘It happened so fast I couldn’t run to my daughter in time’

The six-year-old’s cousin Jerby Factularin said: ‘The family are all heartbroken. Everyone loved Sciamira so much. Now we want justice for her.’ Pictured: Sciamira (centre) with relatives

In a statement, boat race organiser Bancarera Philippines said: ‘Bancarera Philippines wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the unfortunate accident during the race held at Paliton Beach, San Juan, Siquijor on May 21, 2023. We wholeheartedly join in your sorrows.

‘In the same token, we implore race organizers, team managers, crews and most especially riders, to learn from this tragic incident and revisit, review, and implement all safety protocols to prevent reoccurence in the future and ensure everybody’s safety.’

Philippines authorities said Sumalpong is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. He was remanded in custody at the San Juan police station.

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