Palle Ancher's DKW was competing for second place on lap four in the 5th heat of the day's Saloon Car races held at the Roskilde Ring, when he was hit from behind by Ove Scharff's Mini Cooper S, which sent Ancher's car into a series of rolls, across the infield of the hairpin turn called, eerily, "Kapellet" (i.e. The Chapel). The driver was insufficiently secured in his car, the safety belt tore through the seat, the door was flung open, and Ancher was halfway out of the car during the tumble. A flag marshal was almost hit by the vehicle, which was totalled in the crash.

Palle Ancher suffered severe internal injuries, rupturing his spleen. Early the next morning, the 42-year old driver passed away in the local hospital, becoming the first Danish race car driver to lose his life, whilst performing in his sport in his own country.

The police didn't press any charges, ascribed the accident to the inherent dangers of the sport, and ruled accidental death. Palle Ancher, who had announced his retirement from the sport the previous year, and who worked as an insurance agent, was survived by his younger wife, famous Danish model Vivi Morton Ancher, and their 2-year old daughter.

Palle Ancher was a very popular racing sportsman among spectators and fellow racers alike, and his death was a huge blow to the racing community at Roskilde Ring. This became the third fatality at the track which was opened in 1955 as a 600-meter circuit, and later expanded to 1.4-kilometer in 1957. On 01 August 1960, Claus Lager a Danish press photographer and amateur sportscar driver lost his life during a private testing session at the Roskilde Ring. Just five weeks later, the youthful New Zealander George Lawton lost his life during the first edition of the Danske Grand Prix, Formula 2 race held at the track.

R.I.P