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Scary Accident Injures 28 Spectators At Daytona

Daytona Beach, Fla. – In a scary last lap accident at the Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, 28 spectators were injured. Their injuries were sustained when a tire and debris from the cars flew into the stands. Also, an errant engine penetrated the catching fence, heightening the chaotic situation.

The injury information was reported by Joie Chitwood III, president of the Daytona International Speedway, at a press conference early Saturday evening. Accompanying Chitwood was Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’S senior vice president of racing operations.

“We transported 14 people off property and treated 14 (others) at our on-track care center,” Chitwood said. No information was provided on the identity of the medical facilities, the names of the injured parties or the conditions of the patients. According to television reports, 12 were injured and six of them were in trauma care and one of these individuals was said to be in critical condition.

Stated O’Donnell, “The fencing is being repaired, and we are very confident that we will be ready for tomorrow’s event, the 55th 500. As with any of these incidents, we will conduct a thorough review and learn what we can.”

Chitwood said the track’s medical personnel responded appropriately and that safety protocols were followed. He also confirmed that emergency and medical personnel were on the scene immediately.

The track president also indicated the portion of the stands where the injuries were sustained would be reviewed, but he thought those seats and the affected areas would be in use on Sunday.

Once the injured were removed, a battalion of workers and support vehicles arrived on the scene to begin working on the damaged areas. One portion of the fencing was replaced.

The accident happened as a huge pack of cars were charging toward the finish line and when two cars came together, the damaging wreck started. In all, 12 cars were involved, crashing and skidding into each other.

The impact of the crash ripped the engine from Kyle Larson’s car, and the loose motor penetrated the catch fence as did one wheel. It appeared that another wheel along with suspension parts and other debris flew into the grandstands, and the flying debris is what is thought injured the spectators.

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