Spectator Killed By Run- Away Wheel at Labor Day Race
Gabriel G Collins, 59, 113 West Second St, West Plains, was killed by a run-away wheel that flew into a crowd of spectators, during a special Labor Day Stock Car Race at the West Plains Speedway last night.
Collins died in the West Plains Memorial Hospital a short time after being admitted. Death was attributed to brain damage, according to Dr. J.B. Stoll, the attending physician.
Collins was struck in the head by a flying wheel from a C Class Car, Number 6.
A second accident in this same race sent driver Jerry Marsh of West Plains to the hospital, where he was treated and released.
Marsh was reportedly to be only "shaken up" by the mishap which occured when he was leaving his stalled vehicle as it was struck by following racing cars.
Funeral services for Gabriel Garrett Collins are incomplete awaiting the arrival of a daughter.
Mr Collins was born in Howell County, Mo Feb 11, 1907, the son of the late Thomas and Nellie Jane Collins. He spent his entire life in and near West Plains and at the time of his death he was employed as a boiler man with Amyx Manufacturing Co. here. He was married June 22, 1938 to Iva Collins who survives him.
Surviving besides his wife Iva are six children who are Etta Jackson of West Plains; Christine Pearcy of Oronda, Wash.; who is enroute to West Plains at this time; Raymond Collins, Hazelwood, Mo; Stephen Collins, Jacqueline Collins and Douglas Collins, all of the family home; five brothers and sisters, Octie Collins, Waggoner, Okla.; Lonel Collins, Rubel, Mo.; Leona Turner, Long Beach, Calif.; George Collins, Kansas City, Kan.; and Eunice Williams of Filer, Idaho.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Home.
West Plains Daily Quill, Friday, Sept 9, 1966
Rites held yesterday for Gabriel Collins
Funeral services for Gabriel G Collins of West Plains were held at 2 pm yesterday in the Rose Chapel of Robertson Funeral Home, with the Rev Ira Johnson officiating.
Mr Collins died Monday night as a result of an accident which occurred at West Plains Speedway when a run-away wheel flew through the crowd of spectators striking Collins in the head causing a brain injury.
Pallbearers were Wayne Turnbull, Oren Collins, Harlin Collins, Henry Collins, Clyde Easley and Claude Tooker.
Interment was in Collins Cemetery near Grimmett under direction of Robertson Funeral Home.
Those from out of town wo attended the service were Mrs Christine Pearcey, Orondo, Wash.; Mr and Mrs Oren Collins, Willow Springs; Mrs Vivian Smith, Cabool; Lonel O Collins, Ellington, Mo; George Collins, Kansas City, Kan.; and Leonard Duddridge of Willow Springs.