TOLL OF SPEED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

TOLL OF SPEED

CAE IN FLAMES DUKE OF GRAFTON'S FATE REMARKABLE COURAGE SHOWN Flung from his racing car into a trail of blazing petrol after a crash in the recent Limerick International Grand Prix, the 22-year-old Duke of Grafton tried in vain to walk to a stretcher. His clothing was burned off, and he was suffering agony, but he remarked to rescuers, "I am all right. J am not too bad." A few hours later he died in hospital, and the story of his heroism was told at the inquest at Limerick. Mr. C. O'Donnell, of Limerick, a road marshal, related that the duke's car, when rounding a bend, leaped into the air. It skidded wiklly anci crashed into a wall. Immediately the car became enveloped in flames, which rose 30ft., and ran for 50 yards. Mr. Albert Bonnet, another road marshal, described how he found the duke lying four feet from the car, surrounded by flames, and with his clothing burned off. Ho extinguished the fire. The duke was conscious, and remarked, "1 am all right. 1 am not too bad." He then tried to walk to a stretcher, but failed to do so. The Rev. B. Ennis told the coroner he was standing at the corner of Sexton Street and saw the duke's car go over a bump on the road while taking a turn. The vehicle went into a skid and the driver made frantic efforts to keep it on the road. He failed, and the back of the car hit the wall. Dr. W. O'Sullivan explained that the duko was suffering from extensive burns about the body and legs, but was conscious. Death was due to shock and heart failure, following extensive burns from petrol. Cause of Fire Mr. S. Robinson, chief engineer of the Irish Motor Racing Club, who examined tho duke's car immediately after the accident, stated that he formed the conclusion that the back of the car, containing the petrol tank, struck the wall first. The petrol spilled on to the red-hot exhaust pipe, and this, in his opinion, caused the lire. The car would be enveloped in flames. He had examined the car before the race and found it in perfect condition. Recording a verdict of "Accidental death," tho coroner, Mr. J. H. McNeice, remarked that the duke was a great sportsman, who, despite the severe pain he was suffering, never offered a word of complaint. His loss at such an early age would be severely felt. The coffin containing the body was taken to Dublin, on the way to England by the night mail boat, immediately after the inquest. Tlie duke's mother, Viscountess Ipswich, and her husband. Major Gavin Hume-Gore, travelled back with the remains. Father's Tragic Death John Charles William Fitzßoy, ninth Duke of Grafton, descendant of Charles 11., was the son of the late Viscount Ipswich, and succeeded to the title in 1930, when he was 15, on the Vath of his grandfather. Ho was a cousin of Captain Fitzßoy, Speaker of the House of Commons. The duke's father was killed in a flying accident in the last year of the war. Educated at Harrow and Cum bridge, the duke had always had a passion for speed. Six years ago he was slightly injured when a now motor-cycle he was riding skidded. He was a member of the Cambridge Gliding Club, and last December passed his tests as a glider pilot. In March last he took part in his first big race at Brooklands, and also entered his 2J-litre Alfa Romeo for two of the mountain handicaps there. The duke is succeeded by Captain Charles Alfred Euston Fitzßoy, eldest son of tho Rev. Lord Charles Edward Fitzßov. fourth son of tho seventh duke. The now duke is 44.