Driver dies from injuries

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32776, 29 November 1971, Page 1

Driver dies from injuries

(New Zealand Press Association!

AUCKLAND, November 28.

A 23-year-old man died after his racer tangled with another car and rolled about 40 yards during a midget car race at the Western Springs speedway last night.

He was David James Sutton, of New North Road, Mount Albert.

Sutton was competing with 15 other drivers in the first heat of the open handicap at the raceway when his vehicle tangled with another car when going into the Pine Tree bend.

The racer catapulted over the other car and then rolled several times over a distance of about 40 yards to the outside of the track.

Sutton’s smashed crash helmet with chin strap still laced up, flew into the air while tire racer was still rolling. He was treated by an

ambulance crew and the track physician, Dr K, R. Orr, at the stadium. On the way to hospital in an ambulance his heart stopped beating, but Dr Orr was able to revive him. Sutton was admitted to the resuscitation unit at Auckland Hospital where he died this morning.

His death brings to four the number of drivers killed in racing at the stadium. In the second heat of the same event, three racers collided at almost the same spot. The former New Zealand champion, Garry Vernon, was admitted to Auckland Hospital after his car rolled on to the concrete cycle track. He was in fair condition tonight.