Inquiry blasts organiser of disastrous Kimberley ultramarathon

A Western Australian parliamentary committee has made damning findings against the organisers of last year's disastrous Kimberley ultramarathon.

Several competitors suffered life-threatening burns when a bushfire ripped through the 100-kilometre ultramarathon course last September.

Competitors Kate Sanderson and Turia Pitt were among the worst injured with Sanderson, spending weeks in an induced coma, and enduring 15 operations.

Pitt suffered burns to more than 60% of her body and has spent over $3 million dollars having her face, hands and body reconstructed. She is seeking more than $10 million in compensation.

The Western Australian Economics and Industry Standing Committee began investigating the management of the event in April.

It found that Hong Kong-based event organiser, Racing the Planet, did not take all reasonable steps to maintain the safety of competitors, staff or volunteers.

The recently released report says the company was aware there had been fires in and around the course on the day of the race and should have recognised the risk posed to competitors, staff and volunteers.

It found the company did not adequately consult with relevant authorities such as St John Ambulance, and did not make arrangements for the use of a helicopter.

The report also found the company failed to test its communication system prior to the race.

It has also identified serious flaws in Tourism WA's system for assessing risk management plans for sponsored events.

The committee has made 15 recommendations, including changes to Tourism WA's sponsorship arrangements and has recommended the Attorney General urgently consider ex-gratia payments for Pitt and Sanderson along with fellow competitors Michael Hull and Martin Van Der Merwe.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett, ruled out ex-gratia payments earlier this year, but Tourism Minister Kim Hames says the Government is now considering it stating "since that time we have moved on considerably."

Dr Hames says all of the report's recommendations will be closely examined.

The Committee's Chairman, Mike Nahan, told the Western Australia Parliament the report does not make any findings of legal liability and is not aimed at laying blame but he says there is a "strong moral case" for government compensation.

Nahan stated "the physical and emotional recovery, particularly for Ms Pitt and Ms Sanderson, will be arduous and entail significant financial cost.

"While Tourism WA was not responsible for organising the event or even attracting it to the state, it did not perform its identified role in a responsible manner."

5th June 2012 - TOURISM WA TERMINATES SPONSORSHIP CONTRACT WITH ULTRAMARATHON ORGANISER

22nd May 2012 - TOURISM WA CONCEEDS ULTRAMARATHON MANAGEMENT FAILURES