Horror images show hair of a 15-year-old girl who was scalped and paralyzed after a go-kart accident when the braid became tangled in the engine

A 15-year-old GIRL was scalped and paralyzed after a horrific go-kart accident when her pigtail became tangled in an engine.

Kristen Govender, from Durban, South Africa, was driving on the track when her head was pulled back after her long hair got caught in the driveshaft.

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According to local media reports, she suffered spinal cord damage and bruising and a ruptured aorta when her scalp was ripped off in the shocking incident.

Horror photos show the teenager’s long, dark hair coiled around the engine just inches from the driver’s seat.

Her father, Vernon Govender, recounted how Kristen was at the Action Karting Center in Durban’s Gateway Mall when she was suddenly catapulted back into the engine.

Vernon said his daughter was wearing a crash helmet and her hair was tied in a ponytail.

He told local media: “Doctors said they didn’t want to push her into the practice because she’s young.

“They take steps to see how their bodies are responding to the drugs.

“She’s immobile from the waist down, she can’t move or have any feeling in her legs.

“She also has a blood clot in her spine and doctors say surgery is too risky.

“We just have to give her some time, with the medication and any therapy, we remain optimistic.”

Vernon added that there were “many answers” he and his family needed, but the focus was on Kristen’s recovery.

He continued, “My focus is on her getting better, getting out of the hospital and going back to school.

“I need a lot of answers, but I will deal with the incident after my daughter is home with us.”

“She’s in 10th grade; she is an A student who got it all at the end of the year and was really looking forward to starting the new school year.”

“My focus is on her getting better, getting out of the hospital and going back to school. There are many answers I need, but I’ll take care of things after my daughter is home with us.”

Vernon Govender

A spokesman for the mall said they would not comment due to the investigation and out of respect for the family.

But the father claims he only got a call from the karting track to find out how his daughter was doing.

He said: “That was the day after the incident, in fact I had called the management of the mall and they said they were not even aware of the incident and he accused them of ‘complete negligence’.

“It’s really scary that they run the establishment and they don’t even know what’s going on.

“There have been no further calls from the go-kart track or the mall and it has been six days since the incident.”

Vernon continued: “There was only one compensation form signed, when I asked my daughter about the safety protocols she said they were just told to put on a helmet and ride.

“They didn’t give them any videos to watch or instructions on how to operate the kart. This is part of the machine and you need safety instructions.

“On the day of the incident while driving, my daughter said part of the vehicle came out as she entered the tunnel.”

And Vernon claimed his daughter checked with staff before the horror incident if it was safe to continue.

He continued: “She said she asked a clerk on the track for the part and he just peeled off the plastic part and told her to go ahead.

“She asked him if he was sure it was ok to go ahead and he told her it was, he said just get in and drive.

“The facility did not follow any safety precautions and did not provide any first aid.

“My 13-year-old son who was with them ran to the executive offices and they closed the offices and disappeared.”

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