a documentary on the 1955 accident, the deadliest on a circuit

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On Saturday June 11, 1955, the circuit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will know the accident deadliest you sport automobiles.

And documentary of 90 minutes on the subject was recently produced by Emmanuel Reyé, who himself lost two uncles that day.

Entitled “Le Mans 1955, a French tragedy”, it will be broadcast on Planète + on Tuesday October 8, 2024.

The Mercedes explodes into the crowd

This June 11, at the entrance to the pit line, on the 33rd lap, around 6:30 p.m., the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, number 20, driven by Pierre Levegh takes off from the circuit after colliding with Lance Macklin’s Austin-Healey.

The Mercedes goes over an embankment, falling onto a low wall… Under shock, the machine explodes above the public and the debris is thrown into the crowd.

80 dead and a hundred injured

Results: almost 80 deadincluding the pilot Pierre Levegh and spectators, and more than 120 injured.

This edition will not be stopped, however, despite the disaster. Charles Faroux, the director of the event, explained: “too many interests at stake”.

Called into question, the manufacturer Mercedes withdrew. But Mike Hawthorn, in Jaguar, whose responsibility in the accident will be demonstrated, will nevertheless win the race.

The other dramas of the 24 Hours

This INA video looks back on this mourning edition. It remains to this day the worst tragedy to occur on a circuit.
An animated short film, available for free on YouTube, also tells this episode, seen from the German team.

In 100 years, other tragedies and crashes will mark the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Safety barriers, widening of the track, separation from the stands… The accident of 1955 had the merit of further strengthening the safety measures. security.

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