Australian Formula 1 driver Mark Webber has been seriously injured while participating in a charity bike ride event in Australia today.In an unfortunate accident for a worthy cause, Mark was struck by a car during a decent from a hill breaking his leg and requiring him to be airlifted to a local hospital.
Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber has been airlifted to hospital in Hobart after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle in his own charity event in Tasmania.
Webber was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital by helicopter from Fortescue Bay on the Tasman Peninsula after colliding head-on with a car during the mountain bike leg of the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge.
Rescuers say Webber has a broken leg, but is in a stable condition.
A member of the rescue team, Sergeant Damien Bidgood, said the incident appears to have been an unfortunate accident.
“Basically Mark was riding down the Fortescue Road and he’s had an accident running into a car coming the other way and basically broken his lower leg,” he said.
Webber Challenge media manager Nancy Cook says Webber is disappointed his race has been ended by an accident.
“Mark’s been involved in a minor accident, he’s fine,” she said.
“He’s being treated, he’s really disappointed that he’s not going to be able to continue but he’s well and being looked after.”
The incident could see Webber out of action for at least six weeks.
The Mark Webber challenge is a 250-kilometre multi-sport event across Tasmania which sees competitors mountain bike, kayak and trek a daily course to raise funds for charity.
From Fox Sprots Au:
Formula One driver Mark Webber seriously injured in road crash
November 22, 2008
AUSTRALIAN Formula One driver Mark Webber has been seriously injured in a road accident while competing in his charity adventure sport challenge in Tasmania.
Webber, who drives for Formula One’s Red Bull team, was cycling along a road near Port Arthur, on the Tasman peninsula, when he collided with a Nissan X-Trail car and was knocked off his bike on Saturday.
The 32-year-old was competing in his own charity event, the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250km event using mountain bikes, kayaks and trekking, when the accident happened, around 12.40pm (AEDT).
Event director Geoff Donohue said he could not confirm “speculative reports” that Webber had suffered multiple arm and leg fractures until doctors had had a chance to properly diagnose the sports star.
“It would appear he’s suffered a fractured leg but until doctors confirm the extent of Mark’s injuries, we won’t know for sure – it’s still early days,” Mr Donohue told AAP.
“Mark’s in good spirits. Paramedics attached to the event attended to Mark very swiftly and he’s had really good treatment at the scene before being transferred to hospital.
“It was a really unfortunate accident.”
Mr Donohue said it was far too early to say whether the accident would impact on Webber’s pre-season training for the 2009 Formula One racing season.
“That’s jumping ahead a bit. He would certainly have other ideas about that. Right now, it’s a wait and see situation,” Mr Donohue said.
“If any positives come out of this, you’d fully expect him (Webber) to be ready and willing, not only for his pre-season requirements with Red Bull Racing but also for the Formula One season proper.”
A Tasmania Police spokesman said Fortesque Bay Road, on which the accident happened, was a public route but added he did not know if the section was cordoned off for the event.
“The event is raced in a few stages and this part where the accident happened was the cycling stage,” Sergeant Jon Ford told AAP.
“As a result of the collision, the rider Mark Webber suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries. He was attended at the scene by paramedics attached to the event before being airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital.”
The male driver of the Nissan X-trail escaped injury, he added.
Webber was competing on the penultimate day of the five-day challenge, which also includes abseiling and whitewater rafting.
AAP
We are certainly worried for Mark’s health right now. Our concern at this point is that Mark is alright and that the injuries to his leg are not life threatening or permanent. We wish him the very best and a rapid recovery indeed. We will keep ou posted as news develops.
