Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Maria De Villota: Driver loses right eye after crash

Maria de Villota

Formula 1 driver Maria De Villota has lost her right eye following a test track crash.

She was hurt when the MR-01 race car she was driving hit a support truck at Duxford airfield in Cambridgeshire on Tuesday.

It was the first time the 32-year-old Spaniard had driven the car for the Oxfordshire-based Marussia team.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited the test track on Wednesday.

Marussia said surgeons at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge "embarked on a lengthy procedure to address the serious head and facial injuries sustained by Maria in the accident".

It said: "The operation began yesterday afternoon and she was in theatre until this morning.

"Maria remains in a critical but stable condition."

John Booth, team principal of the Marussia F1 Team, said: "Maria emerged from theatre at Addenbrooke's Hospital this morning after a lengthy operation to address the serious head and facial injuries she received in the accident at Duxford Airfield yesterday.

"We are grateful for the medical attention that Maria has been receiving and her family would like to thank the Neurological and Plastics surgical teams.

"However it is with great sadness that I must report that, due to the injuries she sustained, Maria has lost her right eye.

"Maria's care and the wellbeing of her family remain our priority at this time. Her family are at the hospital and we are doing everything possible to support them. "

He added: "With regard to the accident, we have embarked on a very comprehensive analysis of what happened and this work continues for the moment."

The team has been overwhelmed by messages of support for Maria and her family, Mr Booth said.



Source & Image : BBC

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