English driver in a coma after Indycar accident
IndyCar driver Justin Wilson is in a coma and in a critical condition after sustaining a head injury when he was hit by a large piece of debris that broke off a car in the crash-filled race at Pocono Raceway.
Wilson’s Andretti Autosport teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay said he had been told the English driver was “unconscious and not responding”.
“That’s obviously very bad details,” Hunter-Reay, who won the race, said.
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Wilson was airlifted to hospital after the accident late in the race.
His car veered left and directly into an interior wall.
Wilson was swarmed by the safety crew and airlifted by helicopter from the track.
IndyCar had a subdued victory lane and Hunter-Reay was not sprayed with the traditional confetti.
Team owner Michael Andretti said: “”Our thoughts and prayers are with Justin right now.”
Hunter-Reay said his thoughts were only with Wilson, an extremely popular driver in the paddock who speaks on behalf of his peers regarding safety and competition.
Josef Newgarden was second and IndyCar points leader Juan Pablo Montoya finished third.
Montoya will take a 34-point lead over Graham Rahal into the season finale at Sonoma Raceway next weekend.
New Zealand’s Scott Dixon, who finished ninth, trails Montoya by 47 points.
Australian Will Power, who finished fourth, is 61 points back.