The video of Dario Franchitti’s crash at the IndyCar GP in Houston is horrifying enough to look at and an image taken by a spectator illustrates just what it was like to witness first hand at close quarters.
Four-time IndyCar series champion Franchitti suffered two broken vertebrae, a broken ankle and concussion as a result of a terrifying crash at the Reliant Park circuit, which occurred after he collided with Takuma Sato on turn five of the final lap.
The footage of the crash is horrifying enough but arguably even more disturbing is an image taken from the stands at the moment Franchitti’s car was sent flying upwards and into the fencing surrounding the track.
Still shot of crash @ Houston Grand Prix. It’s a still frame from viewer video. See The video @ 5:00. pic.twitter.com/rRWDB9hfOU
— KPRC Local 2 Houston (@KPRCLocal2) October 6, 2013

As many as 13 spectators are believed to have been injured as a result of bits of fencing and debris sent flying into the crowd as a result of the crash, with two being taken to hospital for further examination having been initially treated at the scene.
How some of the spectators managed to take a picture rather than ducking for cover we’ll never know, but thankfully it seems as if none of the injuries suffered by the spectators were serious and Franchitti himself will soon be on the road to recovery.
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