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Sporting Witness: Le Mans Disaster

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Le Mans Disaster

07/06/2015

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, Le Mans Disaster

How a crash at a motor race in France in 1955 killed 83 spectators and a famous driver.

In 1955, tragedy struck the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race in Northern France when a car crashed into the crowd at more than 100 miles-per-hour. The accident killed 83 spectators and the driver, and led to an overhaul of safety rules in motor-racing. In 2010, Claire Bowes spoke to the American driver John Fitch, who took part in the race.

PHOTO: The aftermath of the Le Mans disaster (AFP/Getty Images).

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