1977 South African Grand Prix

The 1977 South African Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Kyalami on March 5, 1977. Niki Lauda won, followed by Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler, but the race is remembered more for the fatal accident that claimed the lives of driver Tom Pryce and race marshal Jansen Van Vuuren.

[edit] The Accident

After Renzo Zorzi's car caught fire on the homestretch, two marshals tried to cross the track to extinguish the flames. One narrowly avoided being hit by Hans-Joachim Stuck, but the other, Van Vuuren, was in the middle of the track as Pryce came over the blind hill. Pryce's car struck Van Vuuren, killing him instantly, and the 40-lb. fire extinguisher he was carrying hit Pryce in the head, tearing his helmet off, nearly decapitating him, and causing his death as well.