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Devastated

Fans flock to hospital after Earnhardt news

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Andrea Downey, a Dale Earnhardt fan, wipes away tears outside the Halifax Medical Center. AP

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A handful of dedicated Dale Earnhardt fans rushed to Halifax Medical Center after hearing that the racing legend had been seriously injured in a Sunday crash on the Daytona 500's last lap.

Sean Brong, 46, and his wife waited outside the emergency room, eager for news on Earnhardt's condition. They soon learned that Earnhardt, 49, had died from head injuries.

"People like this are not supposed to die. These are heroes," Brong said. "He went to his peak and beyond. It was way too short-lived."

"You can't lose someone like this when it could have been prevented," Brong said from the hospital parking lot.

	CNNSI.com at the Daytona 500
	Multimedia Click the image to launch the clip    CNNSI.com's John Giannone reports the day after Earnhardt's fatal crash    NASCAR president Mike Helton announces the death of Dale Earnhardt    CNNSI.com's John Giannone reports on a tragic day at Daytona CNNSI.com's Multimedia Central • Photo Gallery: Dale Earnhardt • Photo Essay: Stewart's wild ride CNNSI.com Features • CNNSI.com's John Giannone: Fond Farewell to The Intimidator • CNNSI.com's Mike Fish: End of an era • CNNSI.com's John Donovan: Waltrip's first victory a footnote • Statitudes: By the Numbers • Closer Look: Tight racing leads to wreck From The Wires • Autopsy confirms cause of death • Reaction to Earnhardt's death • Concerns over safety heightened • Fans flock to hospital • N.C. mourns loss of local hero Your Turn • Reactions Readers' memories | Daytona 500

Meanwhile, about five miles away at the racetrack, flags flew at half mast.

A few fans, about 10 members of the media, and several security personnel stood outside the hospital's trauma unit. Some bystanders saw a maroon hearse back into an emergency room entrance.

Hospital staff held up sheets for in front of the hearse's windows to block the public's view. About five minutes later, the hearse drove off led by two police officers on motorcycles.

Jack Schwartz, 28, of Minnesota, was at the race and drove the short distance to the hospital.

"We were right in front of the big wreck," Schwartz said. "We thought it was a minor accident. At least 90 percent of the fans were there rooting for Earnhardt."

Minneapolis resident Dan Falkenberg, 28, heard that Earnhardt was seriously hurt while eating at a restaurant after the race. They drove to the hospital, and got the bad news first hand.

"It's too much to take in, especially considering it was the last corner of the last lap about 1,000 feet from the finish line," Falkenberg said.

NASCAR should increase safety standards in response to Sunday's tragedy, Falkenberg said.

Earnhardt, a seven-time Winston Cup champion, had to be cut out of his car after slamming into the wall as he was fighting for position. Earnhardt was taken to the hospital accompanied by his son, Dale Jr., who finished second in the race.

 

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