Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge
Mark Webber Hospitalised in Bike Crash
Rob Howard / 22.11.2008
On the penultimate day of the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge he was involved in a collision with a car near Hobart, attended by paramedics and subsequently airlifted to hospital. Initial media reports suggested he was in a ‘serious condition’ but this was updated to say he was stable and had broken his leg.
There is naturally speculation as to how this will impact on his Red Bull Racing team’s preparation for the next F1 season and the accident is being investigated.
The event website has, at present, not been updated for a couple of days and has no statement or comment about the accident but TV reports say it is continuing.
The current Press Association statement reads as follows;
Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber was seriously injured on Saturday after he collided with a car while riding his bike, Australian police said.
The 32-year-old was competing in his own charity event on the Australian island of Tasmania when he collided head-on with a car.
Tasmania police said Webber was airlifted to hospital where he is being treated for a broken leg and other injuries. His condition is believed to be serious but not life-threatening.
The accident happened on a remote road south east of the capital city Hobart at about 12.40pm local time, police said.
Webber was taking part in the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250-kilometre endurance event consisting of mountain bike riding, kayaking and trekking.
Sergeant Jon Ford, of Tasmania Police, said: "At 12.40pm we received reports of a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle on the Fortescue Bay Road on the Tasman Peninsula.
"The collision was initially attended by paramedics attached to the event.
"He was airlifted from the scene by helicopter and taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he is now being treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries.
"He suffered a broken leg and other injuries and is reported to be in a stable condition."
There is a good TV report on the ABC website here.
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