1956 – Flaherty Hurt Critically in Race Wreck

 

Track personal rush to the aid of Pat Flaherty after the Indianapolis 500 winner spun and then struck by Jack Turner. Notice the helmet laying on the ground to the car’s right.

Springfield, Ill. (August 18, 1956) – Pat Flaherty of Chicago, winner of this year’s Indianapolis 500-mile Memorial Day Classic, was critically injured Saturday afternoon in a crackup at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Flaherty’s car spun on the north turn of the one-mile dirt oval on the 28th lap of the 100-mile race where Jack Turner of Seattle smashed into it.

The tavern owner was taken to a Springfield hospital where he was reported in critical condition with a skull fracture and possible jaw fracture.

The race, sanctioned by the United States Auto Club, was won by Jimmy Bryan of Phoenix, Ariz., who finished the 100 miles in one hour, 7 minutes, and 49 seconds. Don Freeland of Inglewood, Calif., was second, and Eddie Sachs of Greensboro, N.C., finished third.

A hospital spokesman said Flaherty also suffered serious injuries to his right forearm and left shoulder. He also suffered multiple face lacerations.

He said the severity of his head injuries, which he also termed serious, was not known immediately.


Results –


1. Jimmy Bryan, Phoenix, Ariz.
2. Don Freeland, Inglewood, Calif.
3. Eddie Sachs, Greensboro, N.C.
4. Al Keller, Lodi, Penn.
5. Pat O’Conner, North Vernon, Ind.
6. Johnny Boyd, Fresno, Calif.
7. Rodger Ward, Los Angeles
8. Andy Linden, Manhattan Beach, Calif.
9. Jim McWithey, Dayton, Ohio
10.Johnny Thomson, Springfield, Mass.