Posted on Feb 23, 2013

Enormous Crash At NASCAR Race In Daytona, Fans Injured (UPDATED)

Kyle Larson, the driver whose car hit the fence in the middle of the massive crash, walked away. Twenty-eight fans were injured.

by Summer Anne Burton

BuzzFeed Staff

A multi-car crash during the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Drive4COPD race injured 28 bystanders, officials said Saturday.

A track worker told Yahoo! Sports that one woman had a tourniquet on her leg, while other fans suffered burns, and one person was hit by a flying tire.

The driver who won the race, Tony Stewart, managed to miss the pileup.

"Certainly when you look at this incident, there are some things we can learn and evaluate," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's senior vice president of racing operations. "The safety of our fans is first and foremost."

I had both my earbuds in and it sounded like a bomb went off when that car hit the fence.-- Jeff Gluck

I can see multiple stretchers being used in stands. Medics working frantically. Ugh.-- Jeff Gluck

I can't really even believe what I just saw. I pray all are ok.-- Marty Smith

Seen two fans removed on backboards so far. Medics still working on some fans in stands. We can hear sirens now.-- Jeff Gluck

They are now bringing backboards to upper deck (Sprint Tower). Thatâ€™s a long way for debris to travel.-- Jeff Gluck

I was just told by police if I didn't leave the grandstand area I'd be thrown in jail.-- Marty Smith

Update from Daytona: Grandstands now cleared of injured people. Five fans were removed on backboards that I saw, maybe more.-- Jeff Gluck

Update: Feb. 23, 5:40 p.m.: Central Florida News 13 is reporting that 15 people have been taken to the hospital and that one person is in critical condition following the crash.

(via Matthew Keys)

Update: Feb. 23, 5:55 p.m.: A video shot by someone in the stands shows the crash, and then what seems to be the aftermath of a tire that has hit someone in the stands near them.

(via Jeff Gluck)

Update: Feb. 24, 6:00 p.m.: The video has been removed by YouTube after a "copyright complaint" from NASCAR. Their own video, above, remains live.

Update: Feb. 24, 6:05 p.m.: From Richard Petty Motorsports:

[NASCAR Driver] Michael Annett is currently being treated at the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. after an accident during Saturday's Nationwide Series event. He will be kept for observation.

Annett was transported to the hospital after complaining of pain in his chest and sternum.

Annett was treated for bruising on his chest and underwent a CT Scan.

More information will be sent once confirmed.

Update: Feb. 24, 6:10 p.m. More photographs from the wreck, and of the injured being treated by rescue workers.