List of Indianapolis 500 fatal accidents

Contents

Drivers

Drivers killed in the Indianapolis 500

Fourteen drivers have died as a result of racing in the "500". Ten races involved accidents claiming the lives of drivers.

Thurman's car turned over on lap forty-four, and he was killed instantly. LeCocq's car similarly turned over on lap ninety-six, causing the fuel tank to rupture and burst into flames, killing LeCocq and his riding mechanic.[1]
Weatherly was driving the same car Johnny Hannon had fatally crashed ten days earlier while testing. Moreover, in a practice run the throttle had stuck, forcing Weatherly to kill the engine to avoid another crash.[2] In lap 9 of the race, Weatherly went into and over the wall in turn four. He was already dead when rescue crews arrived. His riding mechanic was critically injured but survived.[3]
Cantlon swerved to avoid Bill Holland's car, which had gone onto the inside grass and skidded back across the track.[4] Cantlon's car went into the outside wall, causing severe chest, leg and internal injuries. He died at the track hospital shortly afterward.[5] Holland went on to finish second.
According to Donald Davidson, when Scarborough pulled into the pits, smoke or a small fire may have broken out on the car, wherein crews quickly doused with fire extinguishers. In the process, Scarborough may have inhaled CO2, which may have contributed to, or been the actual cause of death.
Coming out of turn 4 on lap 2, MacDonald spun and crashed into the inside wall. The car exploded and went back onto the track, into the path of oncoming traffic. Sachs hit MacDonald's car, and his car caught fire as well. Sachs was killed instantly of injuries and severe burns. MacDonald was declared dead a short time after in the infield hospital.

Drivers killed during testing, practice or qualifications

Drivers killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - not related to the Indy 500

Lenz, 13, was run over by a motorcycle ridden by Xavier Zayat, 12, who fell as a result. This incident led to controversy at the Speedway regarding minimum ages to compete at the track. [9]

Crew

Riding mechanics killed in the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race

Riding mechanics killed in practice

Track personnel killed in Race

Spectators

Spectators killed at the Race

Others

External links

References

  1. ^ 3 DIE IN AUTO RACE AT INDIANAPOLIS New York Times, June 1st, 1919.
  2. ^ Hannon's 'Death Car' almost hits wall again Associated Press, as reported in The Milwaukee Journal, May 28, 1935. From Google News, retrieved September 4th, 2011
  3. ^ Daring Petillo Wins Auto Race Associated Press, as reported in the Spokane Daily Chronicle, May 31st, 1935. From Google News, retrieved September 4th, 2011
  4. ^ Mauri Rose wins 500-mile race, $25,800 check by Ed Sainsbury, United Press, as printed in the Middlesboro Daily News, May 31, 1947. Retrieved from Google News September 2nd, 2011
  5. ^ Mauri Rose wins big Auto Race, Driver Killed by Dale Burgess, Associated Press, as printed in the The Meriden Daily Journal, May 31, 1947. Retrieved from Google News September 2nd, 2011
  6. ^ HEAT KILLS DRIVER; Scarborough Dies After Vukovich Auto Takes Indianapolis 500, by Frank Blunk New York Times, May 31st, 1953, page S1.
  7. ^ Dr. Stephen Olvey, "Rapid Response", 2006, page 35
  8. ^ Dan Wheldon 2011 [1] Daily Trackside Report, Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix
  9. ^ Racin' Today
  10. ^ Dorson, Ron (1974). Indy 500 An American Institution Under Fire. Bond/Parkhurst Books. pp. 200–201. ISBN 0-87880-025-5. 
  11. ^ Autocourse Official History of the Indianapolis 500 By Donald Davidson, Rick Shaffer. MBI Publishing, 2006. Retrieved from Google Books.