The dangerous side of go-karting: Durban man suffers life-changing injuries after mishap

A company team-building event turned to disaster on Friday when Yastil Rugunanan, a 27-year-old father from Verulam, was thrown from a go-kart, leaving him immobilised and facing an uncertain future after sustaining severe spinal injuries.

Rugunanan, an operational manager at a local call centre, described the event, which took place at Wicked Karting in Cornubia Mall, as a day intended for light-hearted camaraderie among colleagues. It was meant to culminate with a celebratory lunch and gift exchange, but tragedy struck during the final race.

“While the race was on for a final winner, I bumped into a colleague with my kart. Normally, you bump into someone, and the kart stops; you press on the accelerator and continue. This time, however, I was thrown out of the go-kart. I literally flew out of the kart. I was airborne until I landed on my back,” he recalled.

To his shock, Rugunanan discovered that the kart he was in did not have a seatbelt, something he had assumed would be a basic safety feature. He described the immediate aftermath with harrowing clarity: “The impact left me unable to move, and I lay on the track in excruciating pain, waiting for emergency responders.” In those heart-wrenching moments, Rugunanan felt as if everything was collapsing around him. “Something that was meant to be joyful ended up being so tragic. This incident could cause me never to walk again,” he added with evident despair.

Following the incident, he was transported by ambulance to Mount Edgecombe Hospital, where an MRI revealed damage to his L3 and L4 spinal discs. As he waits for answers about whether surgery will be necessary, Rugunanan remains hopeful. “I am feeling a bit stronger and attempting to walk with a brace. It is an emotionally and physically challenging time for me,” he reflected.

As part of his treatment, Rugunanan had to purchase a lumbar brace costing R5,500, which his father helped cover, while he hopes his medical aid will reimburse him. Despite the ordeal, Rugunanan expressed gratitude that his collision did not injure his colleague. “I will not ride on a go-kart again,” he stated firmly.

Yastil’s wife, Danielle Rugunanan, also 27, shared her emotional response to her husband's accident. Home with their two young children when she received the alarming message, she initially thought it might be a prank. “Just that morning, I told him he should enjoy himself. When I phoned him, I could hear how much pain he was in,” she recounted, her voice trembling at the memory.

Danielle's mother-in-law rushed to the scene, describing her son’s condition as dire when she arrived. When Danielle arrived at the hospital, she experienced overwhelming fear coupled with a resolve to remain strong for her children. “I was emotional because I did not know what to expect. I was scared but had to be strong for my children who wanted to know where their father was,” she recalled.

The family is now focused on Yastil’s recovery. “I am glad to see him better now and look forward to him being back to normal,” Danielle said, while expressing that their experience would deter them from ever participating in go-karting again. “We will never go on a go-kart again, especially not our children. I have always been wary of go-karts, after the incident where a young girl had her scalp ripped off a few years ago,” she remarked.

Wicked Karting, where the incident occurred, responded to media requests, stating their commitment to customer safety. “We strictly adhere to all safety regulations, and while every effort is made to ensure customer safety, the one thing we cannot control is how racers behave on the track. We have rules about no bumping and reckless driving; any violations lead to disqualification,” a spokesperson explained.

The statement added that all customers sign an indemnity form and are briefed on safety procedures, emphasising the inherent risks involved with go-karting. They expressed their best wishes for Yastil's recovery.

Life Response 24/7 paramedics, who were dispatched to the scene, underscored the necessity of adhering to safety precautions when go-karting. Their advice included wearing proper safety gear, following instructions from marshals, and maintaining constant alertness while on the track.

He said his company’s team-building event on Friday, was meant to be a light-hearted day with senior managers and started with go-karting at Wicked Karting in Cornubia Mall.

They were then meant to go for lunch, drinks, and exchange festive gifts at a local restaurant.

Rugunanan said the day did not go as planned when tragedy struck in the final race.

“Whilst the race was on for a final winner, I bumped into a colleague with my kart. Normally when you bump into someone the car stops and you press on the fuel pedal and drive off again. In this instance I was thrown out of the go-kart. I literally flew out of the go-kart. I was airborne until I landed on my back.”

Rugunanan said he assumed there would be  a seatbelt in the kart, but “in fact there was no seat belt.”

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