Woman dies after falling off 'artcar' at AfrikaBurn
One of the 12‚500 revellers who attended the AfrikaBurn festival in the Karoo over the weekend died after falling off an "artcar".
Dana Lawless‚ 52‚ was airlifted to Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville after the incident on Saturday but died on admittance‚ said AfrikaBurn spokesman Monique Schiess.
"Dana was travelling on her theme camp’s art car when she lost her footing and fell under the trailer that it was dragging‚" said Schiess.
"Medics were on the scene within minutes and she was stabilised and airlifted off site. Unfortunately she succumbed to her injuries. AfrikaBurn would like to offer our sincerest condolences to her family‚ camp mates and loved ones."
An artcar is a modified vehicle that cruises AfrikaBurn's "playa"‚ or party area‚ at the festival site on a farm in the Tankwa Karoo.
IDMmag.com said: "Usually an ‘artcar’ resembles something out of a Mad Max movie and they are the only motorised vehicles ‘Burners’ are allowed to use. Many opt for bicycles to cruise around the vast desert area known as the ‘playa’ to visit the multitude of camp sites‚ art installations and dance floors that are set up.
"As far as we can tell this could be the first festival-related death at AfrikaBurn. AfrikaBurn 2016 is in fact the event’s 10th year so this tragic event puts something of a damper on what is effectively a very well run and professional event.
"No doubt questions will be raised about the safety aspects of these artcars roaming the playa‚ and the event has grown tremendously to make managing the festival and all its revellers that much tougher."
