The 1/4 mile Lagoon Motordrome was built just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, in Ludlow, Kentucky.and opened in June of 1913.
Tragedy struck the venue on this day in 1913. Oden Johnson was running high up on the banked track when he hit a light pole. The crash snapped off the pole and the loose wires ignited Johnson’s fuel tank. Johnson’s lifeless body landed in the spectator seating area, along with what was left of his motorcycle, killing a spectator.
Petrol sprayed over a large crowd, which set off a stampede of spectators trying to escape the burning fuel.
Harrisburg Telegraph
In the ensuing chaos, it took police almost an hour to get control of the scene and for rescue workers to reach all the victims. A total of eight people died in the next few days from injuries and burns.