Massa in life-threatening condition after surgery

[jakeXT]

Massa in life-threatening condition after surgery

By PAUL LOGOTHETIS (AP) – 20 minutes ago

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hospital officials say Formula One driver Felipe Massa is in "life-threatening" condition after surgery for a fractured skull from a high-speed crash at Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying.

Officials at the AEK military hospital said Saturday that Massa will be kept sedated on a respirator in an intensive care unit.

Medical director Peter Bazso said at a news conference that "Massa's condition is serious, life-threatening but stable."

Bazso and chief surgeon Lajos Zsiros say they expect Massa to be awoken Sunday.

The 28-year-old Brazilian had surgery one hour after arriving at the hospital, the doctors said.

Massa was struck in the helmet by a loose part from another car and his car slammed straight into a tire barrier.

....

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jz_jySb-3S8naLUnvDUgd3WQFtuwD99LLKR80


Better helmets? Closed cockpits?






Closed cockpits aren’t a perfect solution - but they may be an improvement
22 July 2009 by Keith Collantine

The untimely death of Henry Surtees in a Formula Two race last weekend has re-opened the debate about whether single-seater racing cars should have open cockpits. The accident began when a stray wheel from another car struck Surtees’ crash helmet.

We’ve had discussions here before about whether single-seater cars should continue to have open cockpits (see the comment thread here). There are potential disadvantages to covering them up, but are they now outweighed by the benefits?

...

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2009/07/22/closed-cockpits-arent-a-perfect-solution-but-they-may-be-an-improvement/

[IndianaGreen]

1. I watched the accident as it happened on Speed TV

a fluke of a horrible accident. The bloggers on Planet F1 were also talking about this happening to poor Felipe so soon after young Surtees' death.

I don't know if closed cockpits are the answer, particularly on the Surtees' crash.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Massa family. The Massas are expecting their first child in November.

[jakeXT]

2. Looks like his career could be over

Felipe Massa 'improving' but his F1 future is in doubt after horror injury in Hungary

By Jonathan McEvoy
Last updated at 9:41 PM on 27th July 2009

Fears for Felipe Massa have eased after doctors confirmed that he was no longer in a life-threatening condition, but the seriousness of the damage to his left eye means his Formula One career may be over.

Robert Veres, one of the neurosurgeons who operated on the Brazilian's multiple skull fractures after he was hit by debris during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, said: 'He is not critical but he will not race again this season. And I don't know if he will be able to return to racing at all.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-1202460/Felipe-Massa-improving-F1-future-doubt-horror-injury-Hungarian-Grand-Prix.html

[MaineDem]

3. F1: Massa Could Leave Hospital In A Week

Felipe Massa's personal doctor believes the Ferrari driver will be able to check out of hospital in central Budapest within one week.

The Hungarian intensive care doctors, who agree that if the current rate of progress continues, Massa should be ready to return to Sao Paulo in between a week and ten days, backed up Dr Dino Altman’s prediction to the Brazilian media.

"(Massa is) sleepy but he gives adequate and spontaneous answers to questions we ask him," said AEK's chief surgeon Lajos Zsiros.

Massa's father Luis Antonio also said that his son may be out of intensive care within two days.

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-massa-could-leave-hospital-in-a-week/

Excellent news!

[joeybee12]

4. Yeah, good news...

...horrible accident and injury....always nice to have good news instead of bad.