Robert Wickens Paralyzed from the waist down | FerrariChat

Robert Wickens Paralyzed from the waist down

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by TheMayor, Oct 26, 2018.

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  1. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    Terrible news....

    IndyCar Driver Robert Wickens Confirms He's Paralyzed from Waist Down
    https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2802871

    IndyCar driver Robert Wickens announced in an Instagram post he is paralyzed from the waist down, calling himself a "paraplegic" Thursday.

    Wickens was initially injured in a crash at Pocono Raceway on Aug. 19.

    According to Bob Pockrass of ESPN, Wickens suffered a variety of injuries from the crash, including a "thoracic spinal fracture, neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs, four broken ribs, a broken right forearm, a broken elbow, fractures in both hands and a pulmonary contusion."

    An additional injury to his spinal cord is also likely affecting his feeling in his legs.

    Wickens was in his first year with IndyCar but was in the midst of an impressive run prior to the crash.
     
    Texas Forever likes this.
  2. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    It's hopefully temporary from spinal cord contusion/edema as the cord was not severed from fracture fragments. He already has some movement and feeling regained and hopefully it continues to improve over time.

    Still terrible and frightening.

    https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/wickens-clarifies-paraplegic-reference/3203201/

     
    pdxjim488 and Texas Forever like this.
  3. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    Wow, the list of Wickens' injuries is dizzying.

    Fortunately, he's still here to tell us about it unlike poor Dan Wheldon.

    Hopefully, as a result of this incident, some clever person comes along and designs
    a completely different way of retaining the cars on the ovals so these sorts of things
    don't happen again.

    The Safer Barriers are a good first step, now let's have safer catch fences.

    BHW
     
  4. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    I wonder who did the final report on the accident. It seems to me one rear wheel got jammed in the catch fence along a support post and spun the car violently. I'm sure there's a way to avoid that but its a question of cost. Some tracks may not survive retro fitting.

    Or, the other solution is banning open wheel cars entirely, which I feel will happen one day just like HALO.
     
  5. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    Mainstream motor sports will probably die off by then the rate things are going.
     
  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    When you hurl people at 200 mph in a confined space, you're doing something dangerous. That's racing. And, that danger might just be its eventual downfall.
     
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  7. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Most of the tracks are inadequate for modern race cars.
    New circuits need to be built to catch up with today's race cars, and anticipate their future development.
     
    Texas Forever likes this.
  8. Ky1e

    Ky1e Formula 3

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    saw that-- terrible news. I wish him the best.
     
  9. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ Consultant Owner

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    I doubt that. Is it more dangerous than rock climbing, extreme skiing, boarder parks, or any number of other sports? Riding a road bike in LosAngeles is way more dangerous than racing my racecar.
     
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  10. Turbopanzer

    Turbopanzer F1 World Champ

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    It might want to be considered that the injuries came from within the tub of the car. It would appear that the tub while it effectively did its job, did not provide enough driver protection and energy absorption. This seems to be a problem with the current ICS chassis. I would like to know if the data from the accident is available for review?
     
  11. steved033

    steved033 F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    certainly not rock climbing.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    makes my palms sweat...

    sjd
     
  12. blkfxstc

    blkfxstc Formula Junior Silver Subscribed

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    I was/am disappointed how Indy handled this whole situation on releasing information about Robert's health. If he requested it, I understand, otherwise I am disappointed.
     
  13. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    Agree.
     
  14. Jakuzzi

    Jakuzzi Formula 3

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    kes7u, Nortonious and Metastable like this.
  15. Metastable

    Metastable Formula Junior

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    Terrific news!
     
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  16. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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