Woman Killed, 7 Injured During Demolition Derby in Deer Lodge, Montana

[kellyhound]

A woman was killed and seven other people injured when an out-of-control demolition derby car veered into spectators.

The woman, believed to be a paramedic in her 30s, died after the crash in Deer Lodge, Montana, which happened during the final event of a tri-county fair on Sunday.

Local media reported that the car’s driver lost control after their vehicle was struck by one of the others taking part in the display.

Video footage showed it ploughing through a fence and into crowds seated on bleachers. While some barriers were in place around the arena, that area did not appear to be protected.

The car was “travelling at a pretty high rate of speed”, perhaps up to 40mph, when it struck the crowd.

[minka1]

I was wondering how any of those cars were doing 40mph. But I guess the driver accelerated as he went over the bump...?

[LrlynJy]

Cars are probably tricked out for high torque and quick acceleration mode. anytime the pedal is pushed down and resistance against it got lost, it could reach high speed in a split second.

[alphawolf15]

Saw the article on this. Was a EMT in Montana that got killed, good find

[gimlet]

I went to a demolition derby around 1980. A lady in a Toronado dominated the powder puff race, I think that car had front wheel drive and great traction on the dirt track. IIRC they had teams of 4 cars, the winner was the first teams car to do 4 laps or something like that. It was hilarious, at the starting line, a car from each team went in reverse around the track to try to take out other teams.