David Purley's wrecked LEC Cosworth F1 car bein g craned away after his near-fatal pre-qualifying crash in pre-qualifying for the British GP 1977.
Ex paratrooper Purley found his throttle jammed wide open in top gear as he tried to brake for Becketts corner during the mad rush to pre-qualify for the event. The car ran straight into the barriers and stopped from an estimated 108mph to zero in about 2 feet (the amount the car crumpled....as you can clearly see here) Purley was grievously injured and his heart stopped several times before he reached hospital. His legs were badly mangled and for some time he wasn't expected to live. But the man was made of stern stuff and not only recovered but raced again in F1 2 years later. Having proved he could do it but racing in enormous pain from the injuries, he retired and took up stunt flying only to die in an air crash in the early 1980s.
This 1977 crash has a place in the Guiness Book of Record as the highest deceleration (in "g force") ever known to have been survived by a human being! Photo posted here to indicate the force of the impact and the amazing resiliance and recovery of David, already a decorated hero. If anyone objects to this shot I will take it down.
10x7 inch (254x178mm)
