Eight fans injured at Talladega

Eight fans have been injured after a final-lap wreck during the Aaron's 499 at Talladega, which saw the #99 of Carl Edwards get airbourne into the safety fencing on the final lap.

The incident occurred after Edwards moved down the track to try and defend the lead from Brad Keselowski on the final lap, unaware that Keselowski was already down the inside. The resulting contact saw Edwards tipped into a spin before his car went into the air and slammed into the catch fencing.

Fans were treated for mainly minor injuries, with one person being airlifted to hospital for evaluation and treatment for what was believed to be a possible broken jaw - the decision to airlift her out being taken to avoid road traffic.

"After the incident that occurred on the last lap, we are treating seven patients for injuries received from flying debris," Dr Bobby Lewis, medical director at the circuit, said. "The injuries appear to be minor and non-life threatening. One female patient is being transported by air, because of traffic, for further evaluation and treatment."

An eighth patient, also a female, was air-lifted to nearby Brookwood Hospital after suffering chest pains that occurred during or shortly after she witnessed the incident while sitting in the same grandstand section as the others who were injured.

The remaining injured fans suffered what were described as mostly minor bumps, bruises and contusions, although there are possibly some fractures amongst the injured.