In 1955, the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrated its 23e editing. The big builders, recovered from the Second World War, are numerous to take up the challenge of the toughest event in the world, created in 1923. The 24 Hours have become a legend and 300,000 people are on the edge of the track to observe the exploits of champions Fangio, Moss, Hawthorn, Hill or Levegh. The race will turn into drama after three hours on the clock when Levegh’s Mercedes, after an accident, ends its race in the stands… Result: 80 dead. The photo above is one of the few shots taken from the stands just after the crash.
© AFP
the most serious accident in the history of motorsport
