Fordred

Purley will always be remembered for his actions during the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix, where he abandoned his race in an attempt to save the life of his friend Roger Williamson, whose car was upside down on fire following a horrific accident. Sadly his valiant efforts were to no avail, as Williamson perished in the fire. A picture taken by photographer Cor Mooij of Purley’s anguished face after it was clear his attempts had failed won the Sports category of that year’s World Press Photo. That same year David Purley was awarded the George Medal for his rescue attempt.

Pictorial record of David Purley’s attempted rescue of Roger Williamson