HARTSHORNE, OKLAHOMA - A fatal racing accident at the H-Town Throwdown no-prep event on Saturday, November 1, claimed the lives of two emergency responders who were on-site providing medical support.
The McAlester City / Pittsburg County Emergency Management confirmed the tragic loss of their personnel.
On Saturday, November 1, Alderson Fire Chief Jim McCoy, 60, and Haileyville Police Reserve Officer Clint Lawrence, 58, were fatally injured while on duty providing emergency medical support at the drag racing event.
The crash occurred on Apollo Road, a closed public roadway used for the race. Officials report that a vehicle racing in the left lane lost control, veered off the road, and struck an unprotected tree and a group of bystanders that included the two emergency responders. The remainder of the event was immediately canceled following the incident.
McAlester / Pittsburg County Emergency Management Director Leonard Baughman issued a statement expressing profound grief:
“Our hearts are broken for the families, friends, and fellow responders affected by this unimaginable loss... These individuals gave themselves in service to our community, and their sacrifice will be felt across all of Pittsburg County.”
Separate Incident Claims Volunteer
This tragedy followed a separate fatal incident on Friday evening during event preparations. Pittsburg County Emergency Management confirmed that volunteer Justin Faulkner, the husband of the Mayor of Hartshorne, passed away.
Mayor Ashley Faulkner confirmed the details in a social media post: “As he was finishing up setting up for the races last night, he was putting light plants up. The back of [the] light plant was a little close to an electrical line, and he didn’t realize it; it hit, and he was electrocuted.”
Authorities are expected to release further information as it becomes available and with the permission of the victims' families.
For more cases about racing accidents, check out our video here:
