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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:21 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2009

Debris kills boy in stands at monster truck show in Tacoma

Associated Press

TACOMA, Wash. — Debris flew into the grandstands at a monster truck show in Washington state, killing a 6-year-old boy and injuring another spectator, witnesses and city officials said Saturday.

A red truck came apart while doing doughnuts during the freestyle competition of Friday night's Monster Jam show, the witnesses said. Debris from the truck flew 30 to 50 feet over a safety barrier into the stands.

"Parts were falling off and a piece flew up and hit a little boy," Christine Moe told King Television of Seattle.

Police were investigating the accident, said Robert McNair-Huff, community relations manager for the city, which operates the Tacoma Dome. Messages left for police were not immediately returned Saturday.

The Pierce County medical examiner's office identified the boy killed as Sabastian Hizey of Puyallup.

The man who was injured was taken to a hospital Friday night, but McNair-Huff said the man's identity was not available Saturday.

Some spectators told the TV station they had to throw cups off the stands to get the attention of medics. The show continued after the two were hurt, and many spectators left.

"They just kept going," Moe said. "We grabbed our kids and just bee-lined out of there."

Laurie Deranleau, 32, a nurse from Westport, told The News Tribune, "Everybody sitting around thought they should have dropped the show and gave the family some respect. Nobody was paying attention to the show."

The Tacoma Dome was continuing with four Monster Jam shows on Saturday and Sunday.

McNair-Huff said the promoter, Feld Motorsports, promised more inspections of trucks in the show and that the truck involved in the accident would be withdrawn.

The company based in Aurora, Ill., did not respond to requests for comment Saturday from The Associated Press.

A statement it released Friday night said: "Our company follows strict safety guidelines designed to protect both spectators and competitors alike."