What the hell kind of marshalls were they using at this race? Sheer inexcusable incompetence killed Roger, plain and simple! It took a driver in the race to actually stop his car, get out and at least try to do some thing! The marshalls were just standing there with their fingers up their asses watching the man burn to death! Sickening! RIP Roger.
@jakeovery Well, Purley was wearing his racing suit. I'm not sure what protection that offered in 1973, but it certainly would have helped quite a bit with the heat. I've always been surprised and impressed that Purley was able to get the other guys to help push, however briefly. He must have been a very persuasive man at that moment.
Reports I've read on this crash say that Williamson was alive when Purley got to him... he was yelling "please help me", but the car was too heavy and the flames were too hot for purley to move by himself. Judging by how fast the flames spread and engulfed the wreckage, it's doubtful they could have gotten him out anyway.
I would guess he was DOA before the fire. That don't excuse the officals, but just looking at him, he is showing no sign of life. RIP. I don't think the officials had fire suits on like the driver wear. Still a very poor attemp at rescue.
Another example that happenes again and again of how track personal need to be trained not just able to make the extinguisher discharge. Horroble that another driver was the only one with out his head up his ass.
this is like a torture..i mean to see a person die in front your eyes..i would put a bullet in each of those marshalls knees for standing there. this still happens to this day..a lot of times they act as if they never got trained to use an extinguisher..
How very sad! That was i believe Roger williamson's second ever race in formula 1. what a tragic day and i feel so sorry for David purley, who tried depseratly to get him out and the marshall's there looked soo useless...
Most of the drivers passing by the wreckage thought that it was Purley's car burning with the driver trying to remove his own car.
Did they understood what was really happening they would have had to make an entire lap of the circuit before joining Williamson's car again. It then would have been too late anyway to try and do anything.
Of course. What I meant is that it was almost impossible for them to IMMEDIATELY understand what was really happening. Maybe Purley should have waved to them in order to try and make them stop... Anyway, the marshals and the race direction were the real responsible.
As Lauda wrote in his autobiography, the drivers had no idea what had happened as Purley's car was out of site, they assumed that it was Purley's car burning because he was standing there (they were team-mates and all, even though the car isn't really identifiable).
If they had any idea, the drivers would have stopped. The race directors did an appalling job, the marshalls did an appalling job, and Purley tried to do more than one man could. Fucking heart breaking.
Williamson actually choked to carbonmonoxide(So he did´nt die from burning and effects of that,but choking,many would say that it doesn´t make any difference how he died,but still it was horrible ,he was trapped).His last words were "Get me out of here Dave".David Purley was a hero and he got somekind of recognition from British goverment after the accident.Wasn´t medal for bravery or something like that?Please correct if I´m wrong.
Wikipedia says the marshalls and members of the dutch press who were near the burning car, thought the accident was with David Purley, and thought he was the one outside the car, due the fact of David belong to the same crew...
that poor driver who tried in vain to get him out. It shocks me at the kind of acidents that happend in the past thank god F1 is so safe now well a lot safer than it was back then
The fact that the marshals stood there and did very little shows how they weren't trained for something like this to happen. If this happened now, the race would be stopped, marshals would be at the car in seconds with fire extinguishers and an ambulance would be there within 2 minutes (FIA regulations).
Oh, and Schumacher would do something like that. If he saw someone in that condition, then I'm sure he'd stop and try and help. Why else is he the president of the GPDA?
why does everybody have a go at micheal schumacher,do you not like a winner,if he was there i bet he would help,you dick,the drivers of today might not get on , but they are brothers and they realise what danger each other lives with,david purley is an angel
After this accident, the way in which safety crews and marshals work was seriously called into question. However, it was still some years until anything was done about it. I am a marshal, and to think of all the training that is done, all the experience gained, and all the precautions taken in helping an injured driver or saving a persons life! It has changed unimaginably. The only hero shown in this video is David Purley.
What the video does not show is that there was a Fire Engine on the other side of the track about 150 Yards on. The driver refused to go onto the track until the race was red flagged, He later said that he was not prepared to go against the direction of the other race cars. David Purley also siad later that when he got to Rogers car, he was speaking to him and Roger was begging him to get him out.
I think that this statement isn't necesarily true. Remember that safety is much better now. Rescue crews would be onhand in a matter of moments, and marshals nowadays are trained well and know how to cope and work efficiently in these conditions. Back in the seventies, they were simply volunteers, who applied, turned up on the day, and were handed extinguishers.
The guy is David Purley and he was not involved in the accident. He saw Roger Williamson crash into the side from tire failure and flipped over. David risked his chance of winning the race to save his friend but unfortunately he was unable to overturn the car by himself. He received the George Medal for his efforts.
This is really sad you can see how desperate people are trying to take wiliamson out of the car and David even try to go back to see if there's still some hope.
Whats with the stupid pounding on the piano keys? Fucking idiot
forestgreen98 4 months ago
god bless david and roger
foziatoseef 11 months ago
What the hell kind of marshalls were they using at this race? Sheer inexcusable incompetence killed Roger, plain and simple! It took a driver in the race to actually stop his car, get out and at least try to do some thing! The marshalls were just standing there with their fingers up their asses watching the man burn to death! Sickening! RIP Roger.
ironjob 3 years ago
Just a brave man.
Dave9823 3 years ago
Roger wasn't David's team mate.
Dave9823 3 years ago
Yeah he wa
kennysbitches 2 years ago
Omg.. other drivers was so stupid.. they just drove trought... :( that's very very sad :(
Rautaneito69 4 years ago
how can the people touch the car it was to hot
jakeovery 4 years ago
@jakeovery Well, Purley was wearing his racing suit. I'm not sure what protection that offered in 1973, but it certainly would have helped quite a bit with the heat. I've always been surprised and impressed that Purley was able to get the other guys to help push, however briefly. He must have been a very persuasive man at that moment.
danieldeibler 1 year ago
Reports I've read on this crash say that Williamson was alive when Purley got to him... he was yelling "please help me", but the car was too heavy and the flames were too hot for purley to move by himself. Judging by how fast the flames spread and engulfed the wreckage, it's doubtful they could have gotten him out anyway.
agcatdriver 4 years ago
i hear tah Roger Williamson was screamins "For God's sake, David, get me out of here!"
it's so sad he David Purley trying to get him out when Roger was scram can you imagine what he feels?? when Roger stopped scream??...
Ulker1707 4 years ago
I would guess he was DOA before the fire. That don't excuse the officals, but just looking at him, he is showing no sign of life. RIP. I don't think the officials had fire suits on like the driver wear. Still a very poor attemp at rescue.
oldmeat1953 4 years ago
Another example that happenes again and again of how track personal need to be trained not just able to make the extinguisher discharge. Horroble that another driver was the only one with out his head up his ass.
GotIt123 4 years ago
he was a legand . R.I.P Roger Williamson
enzoowner 4 years ago
Disgusting that it took another driver to get there and try to save Roger while the so called track personnel stood around fingering themselves.
jbchinoca 5 years ago
Powerful video. Truly Sad. :-(
flounge74 5 years ago
Caramba o cara tentando ajudar no maior desespero e nada =(
thaynaty 5 years ago
I can't believe how stupid those marshals were. If everyone had given a hand in helping David Purley, sure would Williamson have been saved.
Elephant1960 5 years ago
David Purley's act here was truly heroic
Townyboy 5 years ago
this video impressed me...its really sad the way that purly realize that there's no chance to save williamson...purly was a real hero..
shevademente 5 years ago
Definitely a true act of Bravery. God Bless Him and many others of the same calibre.
jaimepablo 5 years ago
this is like a torture..i mean to see a person die in front your eyes..i would put a bullet in each of those marshalls knees for standing there. this still happens to this day..a lot of times they act as if they never got trained to use an extinguisher..
cafedelmar99 5 years ago
How very sad! That was i believe Roger williamson's second ever race in formula 1. what a tragic day and i feel so sorry for David purley, who tried depseratly to get him out and the marshall's there looked soo useless...
aled6540 5 years ago
SHAME ON THE MARSHALS !!
culbuteur3 5 years ago
Most of the drivers passing by the wreckage thought that it was Purley's car burning with the driver trying to remove his own car.
Did they understood what was really happening they would have had to make an entire lap of the circuit before joining Williamson's car again. It then would have been too late anyway to try and do anything.
dumiel 5 years ago
Or, they could've just jumped out of their cars and ran BACK to the scene.
XKim1X 5 years ago
Of course. What I meant is that it was almost impossible for them to IMMEDIATELY understand what was really happening. Maybe Purley should have waved to them in order to try and make them stop... Anyway, the marshals and the race direction were the real responsible.
dumiel 5 years ago
As Lauda wrote in his autobiography, the drivers had no idea what had happened as Purley's car was out of site, they assumed that it was Purley's car burning because he was standing there (they were team-mates and all, even though the car isn't really identifiable).
If they had any idea, the drivers would have stopped. The race directors did an appalling job, the marshalls did an appalling job, and Purley tried to do more than one man could. Fucking heart breaking.
ian7796 5 years ago
That same year David Purley was awarded the George Medal for his rescue attempt.
RTBaLLa 5 years ago
lankku50... he recieved the George Medal for his rescue attempts later that year.
richard20062006 5 years ago
That's so depressing... RIP
What's the music, btw?
Sirius1985 5 years ago
Williamson actually choked to carbonmonoxide(So he did´nt die from burning and effects of that,but choking,many would say that it doesn´t make any difference how he died,but still it was horrible ,he was trapped).His last words were "Get me out of here Dave".David Purley was a hero and he got somekind of recognition from British goverment after the accident.Wasn´t medal for bravery or something like that?Please correct if I´m wrong.
lankku50 5 years ago
Wikipedia says the marshalls and members of the dutch press who were near the burning car, thought the accident was with David Purley, and thought he was the one outside the car, due the fact of David belong to the same crew...
brunodts 5 years ago
the worst of fates, Williamson ,was begging David Purley , to get him out , what a shame , MY God!!
beco 5 years ago
that poor driver who tried in vain to get him out. It shocks me at the kind of acidents that happend in the past thank god F1 is so safe now well a lot safer than it was back then
IntronD 5 years ago
driver looked like steve mcqueen a little wow
diveplane 5 years ago
this clip made me feel sad angry and bitter, nothing they could do...to save the driver RIP
....guy was a hero trying to save him ...
diveplane 5 years ago
The fact that the marshals stood there and did very little shows how they weren't trained for something like this to happen. If this happened now, the race would be stopped, marshals would be at the car in seconds with fire extinguishers and an ambulance would be there within 2 minutes (FIA regulations).
Oh, and Schumacher would do something like that. If he saw someone in that condition, then I'm sure he'd stop and try and help. Why else is he the president of the GPDA?
TomKayll 5 years ago
why does everybody have a go at micheal schumacher,do you not like a winner,if he was there i bet he would help,you dick,the drivers of today might not get on , but they are brothers and they realise what danger each other lives with,david purley is an angel
oco7 5 years ago
This guy has just become my hero
dudavip 5 years ago
After this accident, the way in which safety crews and marshals work was seriously called into question. However, it was still some years until anything was done about it. I am a marshal, and to think of all the training that is done, all the experience gained, and all the precautions taken in helping an injured driver or saving a persons life! It has changed unimaginably. The only hero shown in this video is David Purley.
monkeypoo1 5 years ago
Actually Williamson didn`t get very serious burn injuries, he died to asphyxiation and smoke poisoning.
MargusKiistheCritic 5 years ago
when the williamson 's car stopped he was uninjured but thed he burned in the car
krusni 5 years ago
How ghastly. Thanks for being sensitive with the music.
jeroid 5 years ago
What the video does not show is that there was a Fire Engine on the other side of the track about 150 Yards on. The driver refused to go onto the track until the race was red flagged, He later said that he was not prepared to go against the direction of the other race cars. David Purley also siad later that when he got to Rogers car, he was speaking to him and Roger was begging him to get him out.
dave3663 5 years ago
About that fire engine, quite right, it was an company engine, (standing at his post Panoramacurve.
66455559j2 5 years ago
This video is truely a jewl in that it shows the true nature of race car drivers. RIP.
carlosb1 5 years ago
What a hero, Such a shame he couldnt save him. you can clearly see his frustration with the marshals. He has to get the extingiusher himself :(
ianastles 5 years ago
i really couldn't see someone like michael shumacher (sp?) doing anything like what David Purley did..
There was romance in the sport back in those days... now its just about winning no matter what.
Zadan 5 years ago
I think that this statement isn't necesarily true. Remember that safety is much better now. Rescue crews would be onhand in a matter of moments, and marshals nowadays are trained well and know how to cope and work efficiently in these conditions. Back in the seventies, they were simply volunteers, who applied, turned up on the day, and were handed extinguishers.
monkeypoo1 5 years ago
A truly brilliant person to stop and try to help.
Nematode 5 years ago
the first guy that goes running to the car is a driver who was also involved in the accident.
Zadan 5 years ago
The guy is David Purley and he was not involved in the accident. He saw Roger Williamson crash into the side from tire failure and flipped over. David risked his chance of winning the race to save his friend but unfortunately he was unable to overturn the car by himself. He received the George Medal for his efforts.
asdfqwer12345678 5 years ago
David Purley, de real hero.
magrellabr 5 years ago
This is really sad you can see how desperate people are trying to take wiliamson out of the car and David even try to go back to see if there's still some hope.
foda23 5 years ago