An attempt to set a new land-speed record at Verneukpan in the Northern Cape ended tragically after an accident during a test run on Tuesday, a local newspaper reported.
Pretoria racing driver Johan Jacobs (40) died in the accident when his jet-propulsion vehicle turned sideways at a speed of about 500kph and started rolling, the Volksblad reports.
Jacobs would have made an attempt at the world land-speed record from a standstill position over a mile on Wednesday. According to the report, Jacobs received medical attention at the scene, but died.
His wife and children were present when the accident happened.
The main sponsor of the event, Castrol, was expected to make an official statement on Wednesday. — Sapa