A race car driven by Dale Blaney flipped into a crowd of spectators at the Volusia speedway on February 19, injuring at least three people.
Watch a video of the crash above.
A reporter for WKMG-TV, Troy Campbell, wrote on Twitter, “Volusia County says a total of 3 spectators were injured, 2 were trauma alerts after race car goes through fence at Volusia Speedway.”
According to The Orlando Sentinel, “The crash happened around turn two of the half-mile track when Dale Blaney and two other drivers got into a crash…That’s when Blaney’s car flipped into the stands where racegoers had gathered to watch.” One person was airlifted to the hospital, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
Speedsport.com reported, “Blaney was involved in an incident with Rico Abreu and Jason Sides early in Sunday’s World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series feature at the half-mile oval.” The site reported that Blaney, Abreu and Sides walked away without injuries, but one spectator’s injuries were bad enough that the person was taken from the scene in a helicopter.
Pretty honored to win the Keith Kauffman Classic @PortRoyalSpdway last night
It was unclear the extent of the injuries right after the crash occurred. Initially, reporter Campbell wrote, “The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office says 2 people were transported to the hospital after crash at Volusia County Speedway.”
WESH.com reported that at least one person was seriously injured. The Volusia Speedway is located in Barberville, Florida. “The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office told WESH 2 News that a race car went into the stands around 9:24 p.m.,” the TV station reported.
The video shows the car lose control and then flip into the spectator stands.
“The car’s upside down flipping wildly in turn two,” the announcer says in the above video.
People on Twitter prayed for those who were injured and expressed concern. Here are some of the reactions to the crash on social media.
This post will be updated as more becomes known about the tragedy.