Girl hit by race car on Pikes Peak

Flight for Life prepares to transport a 7-year-old girl to Memorial Hospital after she was hit by a car during the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Aug. 10, 2012. (Courtesy: Ian McCue, Colo. Springs Gazette)

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — Tragedy has struck El Paso County again as a 6-year-old girl was hit by a race car on Pikes Peak Friday.

According to Colorado Springs Police, the girl was inside a car when she was hit by a vehicle participating in a practice run for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, an annual event that dates back to 1916.

Friday’s events were taking place in preparation for Sunday’s race.

The girl was taken by Flight for Life to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. According to her father, the injuries she suffered were not life threatening. The girl, the father said, was in the state visiting with family.

The Hill Climb is one of the first events for Pikes Peak since the National Historic Landmark was reopened in conjunction with the containment of the Waldo Canyon Fire. The event was originally scheduled to take place on July 8, but was postponed to Aug. 12 due to the blaze, which was 100 percent contained on July 10 after burning for 18 days.

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