1955 Le Mans disaster
In June 1955, more than 80 people were killed and 100 injured at the Le Mans 24-hour race
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
On 11 June 1955, more than 80 people were killed and 100 injured at the Le Mans 24-hour race.
A car driven by Pierre Levegh crashed into the crowd of around 300,000 causing the deaths.
John Fitch was an American racing driver on the Mercedes team at the centre of the tragedy.
After the crash, racing was banned in several countries.
John Fitch spoke to Claire Bowes in 2010.
(Photo: Crash at Le Mans. Credit: Fox Photos/Getty Images)