It’s ironic that motorsports are so inherently dangerous that such stringent safety methods and protocols have been developed and enforced that fiery auto-smashes have become less of a guilty pleasure and more a celebrated highlight because drivers and fans almost always escape serious injury. A chilling NASCAR smash at the Daytona International Speedway gave a terrifying reminder as to how quickly shit can get real when you combine ultra competitive dudes (and dudettes) and cars traveling at speeds in excess of 200kph.
The trouble began when contact was made with Regan Smith’s lead car as the jostling pack turned the final bend. Smith slid sideways with just another standard NASCAR pile-up on the cards until rookie driver Kyle Larson’s No. 32 car became airborne and launched into the fence. The collision sent Larson’s entire engine and front wheels flying into the crowd.
No drivers were seriously injured, but at least 14 fans, two critical, were taken to hospital with many more treated on the scene.
“It was like a war zone there,” Terry Huckaby, whose brother Eddie, 53, was hit in the leg by a three-foot piece of
metal. “When the car hit, debris went everywhere. Tires flying over our
head.”
“When I said war zone, there was smoke from the motor,” said Huckaby.
“You’ve got to realise, a motor was sitting in the stands. And a wheel.
I don’t mean a tire. A wheel with a brake-drum on it and everything
flying over your head and debris everywhere and smoke and people
crying.”
Injured fans might not consider themselves lucky but it was a miracle no one was killed. Wow!
via Image CPR
