A veteran safety official and former firefighter was killed, and another was seriously injured after their all‑terrain vehicles collided while they were rushing to assist a crashed racecar during a World of Outlaws sprint car event in Texas.
The World of Outlaws racing organisation identified the man who died as Billy Hurt, a well-recognised figure throughout the sprint car community.
A second official, Jerry Myers, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and is “stable and recovering,” the organization said.
The incident happened just before 9 pm on Saturday at Kennedale Speedway Park in Kennedale, outside Fort Worth. According to the Kennedale Police Department, the two officials were responding to an on‑track accident when their ATVs reportedly struck each other, throwing both men from their vehicles. The race was cancelled shortly afterwards.
Spectators described the collision as a highly unusual event in a sport where safety crews routinely respond to high‑speed crashes.
“This is a freak accident,” Tommy Williams Jr., a race fan who witnessed the scene, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. “I took a little bit for it to realize what really happened…I’ve never seen anything like that in the infield. It was all a shock.”
Hurt’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the racing world, where he was regarded as a trusted presence and also a pioneer in driver‑rescue techniques.
“Beyond his professionalism, Billy exemplified what it meant to be a good person, always putting others before himself,” World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter said in a statement. “He dedicated his life to ensuring the safety of every racer, making their well-being his main priority. And beyond the track, his kindness shone further with every interaction, quickly becoming a friendly face to everyone he met. The entire World Racing Group family is deeply saddened by his loss.”
Drivers also paid tribute to Hurt’s decades of behind-the-scenes work, noting that safety crews rarely receive public recognition despite the risks they take.
“So many times the spotlight is on the drivers, but the truth is none of us do what we do without the brave men and women standing on the other side of the wall,” sprint car driver Brian Brown wrote on social media.
“They put their lives on the line every single night to be there for us in the worst moments, making sure we have a chance to walk away and race another day.”
“Billy can never be replaced, and he will be missed more than words can say. Thank you, Billy, for everything you gave to this sport and for the knowledge you passed along to so many,” he added.
Lucas Oil Speedway, another major U.S. racing venue, said Hurt had long been a respected figure in their pit area. “The Lucas Oil Speedway family is deeply saddened by the loss of Billy Hurt, a trusted and familiar presence in our pits through his work with racing series focused on safety. While Billy was not a member of our staff, he was someone we came to know, respect, and appreciate each time he was at our facility,” a statement read.
Hurt was also an expert instructor in vehicle extrication – the specialised rescue techniques used to free people trapped in crashed vehicles. Fire departments across Missouri credited him with training generations of firefighters.
The Sedalia Firefighters Union wrote: “Like many others across the region, we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our friend and brother, Billy Hurt, a longtime member of Local 1055 in Columbia. Billy was killed while serving as a safety team member for a national sprint car series. In true Billy fashion, he was attempting to provide aid to someone, something he was incredibly experienced and passionate about.
“Billy was a longtime friend and instructor to the Sedalia Fire Department and Local 103. He taught countless firefighters the full spectrum of vehicle extrication, from the basics to complex scenarios involving school buses and everything in between. He shared that same knowledge with departments across Missouri.
“Because of Billy’s dedication to training and education, every citizen who travels through our region is safer. His knowledge, skill, and commitment to the fire service will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
Authorities have not released further details about the collision.
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