Strong winds cause Epsom damage

by Michelle Fortune , 03 January 2012

Epsom Downs racecourse had to be evacuated on Tuesday morning after strong winds ripped off part of the grandstand roof.


Gusts of up to 44mph resulted in parts of the roof of the Duchess Stand to be torn off with the surrounding area covered with insulating material.

Fortunately no injuries were reported as staff were evacuated and the incident resulted in local trainers making alternative arrangements to exercise their charges.

"Following severe weather conditions and turbulent winds at Epsom Downs racecourse this morning, the Duchess Stand roof has been damaged," Epsom's spokesman Jonathan Spence explained.

"There were no injuries to anyone but as a result and after liaising with the emergency services, the racecourse has been evacuated and all non-essential members of staff sent home. The emergency services are on site and are monitoring the situation."

Prior to the incident at Epsom, Tuesday's meeting at Ayr was abandoned due to safety concerns.

There was a fear the meeting would be lost due to heavy rain but the track was passed before high winds resulted in the card being called off.

"The very strong winds are actually forecast to ease into the afternoon and that is not why we've had to abandon," said Ayr's head of public relations, Iain Ferguson.

"The problem is in fact a tree that is about to fall which is close to a Racetech truck.

"On health and safety grounds they had to move, but it meant we would have had no scanner and no PA system. You are not allowed to race without a PA system and that is why we've had to abandon, not because of the wind.

"It's incredibly bad luck for the groundstaff who'd made a huge effort to get racing on."

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