Marussia Test Driver Maria de Villota in Serious Crash
- Thread starter prisonermonkeys
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BBC's video shows 3 pictures, and it really ilustrates just how "freak" and sudden it was. First picture she is approaching the team; second picture engineer walks to the car, third picture is the one we know already.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-18685789
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-18685789
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- F1fan1
I didn't necessarily say it was the truck driver. Clearly, it was left in an unsafe position. Someone's complacency is responsible for that. Then again, they probably didn't think an F1 car would run into it.
I'll admit, I don't have much working experience in that line of work other than a few odd jobs I was able to get. The problem was down to the fact that most of these jobs require experienced people with very few opportunities given to new people, but I was able to work as a forklift operator for a few weeks at a temp job. It seemed as though I was the only person concerned with safety at all. The first thing you learn when being taught to operate machinery like this is to always leave it in the safest position when not using it.
Anyway, back on topic, I'm not blaming the truck driver, but someone left it in an unsafe position.
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- 10,373
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- Ardius_
No, for example, because the ramp could have fallen down after impact. But honestly, I'd rather not discuss this as I find it disrespectful to start dissecting an accident while the people involved are still in critical condition not to mention how emotional everyone gets.
Lets wait till the details are released and we know Maria is ok.
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Radio interview with the reporter (BBC?) that was there. A bit of warning, he shows the audio record of the accident and it made me shiver. I have my own experience of a heavy crash (with the motorbike) against a much bigger mass and I was instantly reminded of it. There's no big bang, this isn't the movies. It's the sudden silence that impresses.
EDIT - On second thought ... took the link out, you guys can look for it on Youtube if you want.
EDIT - On second thought ... took the link out, you guys can look for it on Youtube if you want.
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Now hang on a second. I am genuinely concerned for Maria here. As a matter of fact, the accident left me feeling a little disturbed to the point where it's almost 9 am and I haven't had a wink of sleep. All I was doing was referring to proper safety procedure. Take a course on handling any kind of machinery and the first thing you will be shown is a ridiculously dated safety video featuring examples of proper safety conduct. I simply said that the ramp either malfunctioned or was left in that position by an idiot and I stand by that. I'm not starting a witch hunt.
Hold on to your boots there Charlie Brown, I haven't seen a single shred of evidence on this, which is why I took it with a pinch of salt. A forum post beginning with "allegedly" doesn't count.
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If what I read in the spanish news sites is true, Maria de Villota suffered a "skull fracture" (sorry, not sure if I'm using the proper words, don't know how to say this in English) and is undergoing surgery for a few hours already.
Hoping and praying for the best! 👍
Hoping and praying for the best! 👍
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Nope, skull fracture is the right phrase. It's pretty consistent with what we know about the accident - namely, that de Villota had a head injury. The real risk was a subdural haematoma, a bleed into the brain cavity, which puts pressure on the brain and can esily be fatal. Because there are so many blood vessels in the head, head injuries tend to bleed a lot. This is a very bad thing, because it means a subdural haematoma can happen so quickly that it can kill before the victim receives medical attention.
Marussia probably did the right thing leaving her in the car until the air ambulance arrived. The combination of helmet, HANS device, custom-fitted seat and the tight confines of te cockpit would have kept her perfectly still when she was unconscious.
Marussia probably did the right thing leaving her in the car until the air ambulance arrived. The combination of helmet, HANS device, custom-fitted seat and the tight confines of te cockpit would have kept her perfectly still when she was unconscious.
I believe the safety protocol is to leave the driver in the car if there is no immediate danger towards the driver themselves (for example, a fire).
So Marussia would have simply be following the best practices of Motorsports. Also, with any suspected spinal injuries (which would be in this case, as head hitting something often damages the neck as well), under no circumstances should the person be moved until there is a trained person to deal with moving people with spinal injuries (such as lifeguards, medical experts, nurses, etc).
Basically, they did everything right in this case, as far as I can see and read.
So Marussia would have simply be following the best practices of Motorsports. Also, with any suspected spinal injuries (which would be in this case, as head hitting something often damages the neck as well), under no circumstances should the person be moved until there is a trained person to deal with moving people with spinal injuries (such as lifeguards, medical experts, nurses, etc).
Basically, they did everything right in this case, as far as I can see and read.
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UPDATE: Marussia have confirmed Maria De Villota has sadly lost her right eye as a result of yesterday's accident.
News from @IanParkesF1, The PA's Formula One correspondant.
News from @IanParkesF1, The PA's Formula One correspondant.
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