David Purley
David Charles Purley, GM, (26 January 1945 – 2 July 1985) was a British racing driver born in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.
Purley participated in 11 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting at Monaco on 3 June 1973. During pre-qualifying for the 1977 British Grand Prix he sustained multiple bone fractures when he decelerated from 173 km/h (108 mph) to 0 in a distance of 66 cm (26 in) after his throttle stuck open and he crashed into a wall. He scored no championship points during his Formula One career.
Purley is perhaps best known for his actions at the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix, where he abandoned his own race and attempted to save the life of fellow driver Roger Williamson, whose car was upside down on fire following a horrific accident. Purley was awarded the George Medal for his courage in trying to save Williamson.
Read more about David Purley: Early Life, Career, Formula One World Championship Results
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“Let things alone; let them weigh what they will; let them soar or fall.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)