FLAGLER AIR SHOW - 1951

On Sept. 15, 1951, an aircraft performing a stunt plowed into spectators at an air show in rural Flagler, Colorado, claiming 20 lives - including 13 children and the pilot of the doomed craft.

Many other spectators suffered severe injuries.

"News of the tragedy was flashed by phone to all surrounding towns and to Denver," The Rocky Mountain News said. "Ambulances and doctors rushed from as far east as Goodland, Kan., and as far west as Denver to aid the victims.

"The injured were carried by car and ambulance to the tiny hospital here," the News said. "Dr. John Straub and Dr. W. L. McBride and a staff of volunteer workers performed yeoman tasks in rendering first aid to the injured."

Victims were transferred to hospitals in Denver, Goodland and other communities.

Flagler's population at the time was about 700. Attendance at the air show from the town and its surroundings was well above that.

The military sent "four SA-16 rescue planes from Lowry Field, loaded with doctors, first aid men, plasma and medicine, landed at the tiny site of the tragedy to join in rescue activities," the News said.

Time Magazine quoted Charlie Keller, a farmer attending the show with his wife, Kathy, teenage daughter Zenelda and 6-year-old twins Johnny and Josephine,

“I saw this plane coming. I hollered. ‘Mama, duck!’ I dived between two cars. There was an awful roar, and then this loud crash," Keller said.

"I got up. looked around. Mama wasn’t there. I couldn’t see the children either, A short time before the accident. Mama said to me. ‘Somebody could get killed.’ I remember I said, I guess somebody could get killed, Mama.’"

Keller's wife, daughter and son Johnny died.

Time Magazine noted: "Every family in town could count a member killed or hurt."

There was no grandstand. Families sat in or on cars. Show announcer Curtis Clarke was credited with preventing panic, asking male survivors to escort women and children from crash site and return to render aid, the News said.

Flagler is located in Kit Carson County and about 125 miles southeast of Denver.