Five-time Indian Rally Champion Hari Singh remains missing after a speedboat crash in the Maldives that also involved industrialist Gautam Singhania of the Raymond Group. Singh went missing following the accident in which their boat overturned early Saturday near Vaavu Atoll.
At the time, seven people were onboard, including Singhania, two women from the UK and Russia and three Indian men. According to media reports, Singh, head of operations at JK Tyre Motorsport and the boat's captain still remain unaccounted for. Maldives authorities are of the view that the duo might be trapped in a coral reef.
According to a report by Maldives-based The Press, Singhania suffered minor injuries. He was treated in Vaavu Atoll and later flown to Mumbai for treatment before being discharged.
The report noted that the boat reportedly travelled at 72 km/h, almost double the usual speed of 42 km/h for local vessels. It flipped during the journey, prompting an investigation by the officials. All injured individuals were initially taken to a medical facility in Vaavu Atoll.
The Press further reported that another Indian on the boat was severely injured, losing a hand during the accident. Meanwhile, an extensive search and rescue operation has been launched by the Maldives officials to locate Singh and the boat captain. Singh is believed to have close personal and social ties with Singhania.
Who Is Hari Singh?
Hari Singh, 59, is one of India's most famous rally drivers and is considered a legend in Indian motorsport. According to his own account shared by JK Tyre Motorsport in an old Facebook post, he began driving as a child and competed in his first event, the Himalayan Car Rally, in the 1990s. JK Tyre has sponsored him since then.
Singh, popularly known as the "Flying Sikh" or the "Gypsy King", keeps a low profile on social media. When the Chandigarh-based rallyist participated in the Himalayan Car Rally, he used his own Gypsy.
According to a 2015 report by the Tribune, he started at the 78th position and finished at 6th position with the 4th place in the Indian category in that event. Thereafter, he bagged more laurels in ‘Team Thunderbolt', breaking MRF team's 13-year winning streak at the Himalayan Car Rally in 1990.
As part of the newly constituted JK Tyre Rally Team in 1992, he continued his winning streak by bagging the national rally championship in Group N for four years consecutively. After representing India in international rallying events, including the SAARC Rally from India to Indonesia and the ASEAN Rally from Bangladesh to the Andaman Islands, Singh was appointed as the head of operations at JK Tyre Motorsport.
Also Read: Gautam Singhania Suffers Minor Injuries After Speedboat Overturns Near Felidhoo In Maldives
He is also associated with Mercedes Benz India as the chief instructor. He is married to Simran Kaur, who has refused to comment on the incident, Indian Express reported.
As news of Singh's disappearance spread, Indian motorsport fans are praying for his safe rescue.
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