KYALAMI, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 5, 1977 During the South African Grand Prix at the Kyalami Circuit, one of the most terrifying accidents in Formula 1 history occurred. 27-year-old Welsh driver Tom Pryce, representing the Shadow team, struck 19-year-old track marshal Frederik Jansen van Vuuren at a speed of approximately 167 mph (270 kph).
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- Frederik Jansen van Vuuren
He and another marshal were running across the racetrack to help extinguish the burning car of Italian driver Renzo Zorzi. However, the marshals found themselves directly in the path of approaching cars. While Hans-Joachim Stuck managed to swerve around one of them at the last moment, Tom Pryce was unable to avoid the collision.
The impact had fatal consequences. The fire extinguisher carried by Frederik Jansen van Vuuren struck Tom Pryce in the head, causing fatal injuries. The track marshal also lost his life. Pryce’s car continued uncontrollably down the track and subsequently collided with the car of French driver Jacques Laffite, who escaped the accident with minor injuries.
The race was not immediately stopped and continued until the finish. Niki Lauda won. The tragedy ended the career of one of the most talented drivers of his generation and became one of the most well-known reminders of the dangers faced by drivers and track marshals in Formula 1 at the time.
READ MORE:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Pryce
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-1977/56/south-african-grand-prix-12/
