The 17th edition of the International British Empire Trophy held at Oulton Park on Saturday, 02 April 1955, was marred by an accident that claimed the life of a race marshal.

It happened on 14th lap of the qualifying heat 3. Bob Berry with his Jaguar XK120 #49 touched former Formula 1 driver Joe Kelly's dark green Jaguar C-type #53 at Knicker Brook. Berry managed to stop the car before it hit the water but Kelly's car went left and crashed into the BBC commentary box and a marshal post. The driver Kelly, two officials and a doctor were seriously injured.

One of the injured men, Dr. P. W. G. Sutton of Winsford, Cheshire, who was acting as race marshal, succumbed to his injuries in the following days. His date of death is still uncertain, three days after the accident Dr. P. W. G. Sutton was reported to be in critical condition at Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, Cheshire. The most likely conclusion based on the available sources is that he succumbed to his injuries on 06 or 07 April 1955. Dr. P. W. G. Sutton served as Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War II.

The Irishman Kelly narrowly escaped the amputation of a badly damaged leg, being his racing career brought to an end. His car was destroyed. The wreck of the Jaguar C-type was sold in America, later owned by Laguna Seca and Lime Rock historic organiser Steven Earle.

Winner of the race was Archie Scott Brown, then aged 32, in a works Lister - Bristol, in a grid full of C- and D-Type Jaguars, Porsches and Connaughts. Also present were a number of Aston Martin DB3Ss to compete with the handful of Listers.

R.I.P