Tuesday, July 3, 2012

DEVELOPING: De Villota Crashes During F1 Testing (UPDATED)

F1 driver Maria de Villota crashed during a straight line test run at a British airfield this morning and is being treated for, what were initially called. "life-threatening injuries."

Her car hit the team support truck at the end of her first run at Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire. It was the first time she tested the MR-01 car.

Here's an eyewitness account of the incident...
((HT: BBC/youtube))


And the most recent statement from the Marussia team:

"The team can confirm Maria was transferred by ambulance from Duxford Airfield, where the accident happened, to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

"Since Maria's arrival at the hospital at approximately 10.45hrs this morning, she has been receiving the best medical attention possible at the hospital, which is the region's major trauma centre.

"Maria is conscious and medical assessments are ongoing. The team will await the outcome of these assessments before providing further comment.

"The team's first priority at this time is Maria and her family."


An early theory behind the accident, according to Sky Sports, is that the anti-stall mechanism on the car kicked in, sending the car into the truck.

De Villota, apparently, regained consciousness and was talking prior to her transfer to hospital.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: De Villota has lost her right eye due to the injuries and remains in a critical but stable condition after having lengthy surgery "to address serious head and facial injuries sustained in the accident. The operation began yesterday afternoon and she was in theatre until this morning," Marussia confirmed in a statement.

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