THIS is the shocking moment a soapbox cart loses control and ploughs into a crowd of spectators during a traditional race, injuring eight.
Horrifying footage shows the cart whizz down a steep street in Ecuador before losing control after a jump and veering into bystanders.
Shocking footage shows the cart lose control after going airborne Credit: Jam Press
The cart then suddenly veers into barricades and a crowd of spectators Credit: Jam Press
The racer immediately smashes through fences and tyres used as safety barriers sending the cart driver flying into spectators on the pavement.
Horrified witnesses rush to help the wounded as one of the drivers writhes in agony from the impact.
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A huge crowd immediately starts pulling the barricades off the injured spectators.
The crash unfolded as 51 teams competed in celebrations marking the 128th anniversary of the San Roque parish, in Imbabura, Ecuador, on August 23.
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Debris was sent flying in the force of the impact Credit: Jam Press
One of the riders careered down the road and writhed in pain Credit: Jam Press
A cart racing in the “Fuerza Libre” (Open) category was the one to lose control on the two-mile course.
These makeshift vehicles can go faster than 60mph on the dangerous route, which features bumpy hills.
The eight injured in the chaos were rushed to hospitals in Atuntaqui and Ibarra for treatment.
Event organiser Steven Terán said safety measures had been put in place for the race but acknowledged that competitions of this type carry inherent risks.
A crowd of concerned spectators rushed to help the injured Credit: Jam Press
Another man can be seen helping the stricken rider Credit: Jam Press
Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Soapbox cart racing is very popular in hilly, rally-crazed Ecuador.
The phenomenon, which is dubbed Carrera Coches de Madera – or “wooden car race”, dates back to the 1940s, according to Quito Informa.
Certain events, like the one involving the crash, have carts crewed by two riders.
One is responsible for steering, while other push with their feet in the slower sections.
Riders throw their bodies around to make sharp turns, akin to bobsleigh races.
These high-speed gravity-fuelled street races often draw large crowds of keen spectators.
