Holden-driver James Courtney was sent to the hospital with serious chest injuries after a hovering helicopter sent a dislodged piece of metal flying towards Courtney, and striking him in the chest.
The freak accident happened over pit lane at Eastern Creek. Courtney was reportedly having an extremely hard time breathing, and was rushed to the hospital with a pneumothorax, which is small pocket of air in the chest, and two broken ribs, according to Australia News.
The most unfortunate news for Courtney is his hospitalization time. The injuries will leave him out of the driver’s seat, and wipe any chances at a championship title. Courtney will be replaced by driver Jack Perkins.
In the meantime, the V8 Supercar Series‘ team bosses are questioning why the helicopter was positioned so close in the first place.
“Madness, just madness,” the head of Triple Eight Racing, Roland Dane, said.
“The whole place was shaking like an earthquake. We had all our stuff blowing out of the back of the garage. One bloke in a wheelchair was very lucky he wasn’t hit.”
We wish Courtney the speediest of recoveries, and hope he’s behind the wheel of his VF Holden Commodore sooner, rather than later.
Comments
Absurd, a shame.
My best wishes to James; about the helicopter pilot no comment …………
Sorry to hear this.
Shame about the Championship but at least he will have a next year. Davey Allison did not get that chance here.
Is that an SH-60 Seahawk?