30 September 1955: James Dean killed in car smash

The Hollywood film star James Dean has been killed in a road accident in California, USA. The 24-year-old actor was behind the wheel of his German-made Porsche sports car when it was involved in a head-on collision with another car 30 miles (48 km) east of Paso Robles this evening. Mr Dean's mechanic, Rolph Wutherich, who was a passenger in the car, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Medics said Mr Dean, who was dead on arrival at hospital, suffered a broken neck and numerous broken bones. At the time of the accident the road racing enthusiast was on his way to a race meeting at Salinas, California. James Dean completed his latest film "Giant", an adaptation of Edna Ferber's book about Texas, just yesterday. His first film, "East of Eden", cast him firmly into the spotlight and many critics believe he had a glittering Hollywood future ahead of him.