Da Matta in hospital

Principessa · Post 04 Aug 2006, 13:25

Da Matta, the former F1 driver who is in Champcar this season, has had a weird accident. A deer came running on the track and Da Matta hit the animal. He was brought to the hospital asap and suffered a subdural hematoma. He had surgery immediatly.

What a weird accident. I hope he's okay!

DaveKillens · Post 04 Aug 2006, 15:29

I wish him a safe and quick recovery. personally, I have never felt any warm feelings toward Da Matta. But he's a human being, and I never wish any misfortune on anyone.
Weird accident though, hitting a deer. That must have been a terrible impact, especially if the carcass of the deer impacted in the driver area.

Principessa · Post 04 Aug 2006, 15:53

My father mentioned a similar accident happening in Francorchamps, but he couldn't remember with who and how long ago. But the guy was more fortunate as he only broke his leg from the impact and had nothing else.

I hope he recovers soon. Too bad...he was 6th in the championship at the moment.

Scuderia_Russ · Post 04 Aug 2006, 17:57

Principessa wrote:My father mentioned a similar accident happening in Francorchamps, but he couldn't remember with who and how long ago.

Hope he gets well soon. I think the incident at Spa involved a dog, but no less dangerous.

RH1300S · Post 04 Aug 2006, 18:11

Must have been a heavy accident; hope he makes a good recovery.

I think Stefan Johansson hit a deer in Austria one year..........

m3_lover · Post 04 Aug 2006, 18:13

Eyewitnesses report that the collision occured between turns five and six, and that the right front of the car struck the animal before the carcass then hit driver.

Da Matta was unconscious at the scene and was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery to remove a ruptured blood vessel.

manchild · Post 04 Aug 2006, 19:37

Hope he gets well. I'm no fan or admierer but as Dave said he is human being so I hope this ends ok.

Jason · Post 05 Aug 2006, 06:46

I'm no fan of him, but he is human being. And I don't like accidents, very weird indeed. Hitting a deer?..Must a street circuit or something like that? Just hope he recovers.

bhall · Post 05 Aug 2006, 06:55

Jason wrote:Must a street circuit or something like that? Just hope he recovers.

It's in the middle of a forest. I'm actually surprised this hasn't happened already.

m3_lover · Post 05 Aug 2006, 08:07

Is there deer at the Nurburgring since the middle of it is all forest?

manchild · Post 05 Aug 2006, 16:15

It already happened once in F1

viewtopic.php?t=1572&highlight=deer

DaveKillens · Post 06 Aug 2006, 04:15

LOVELAND, Colo., Aug. 5, 2006, 2:30 pm EDT - Champ Car World Series driver Cristiano da Matta (#10 RuSPORT Ford-Cosworth / Lola / Bridgestone) remains in intensive care at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah, Wisc., as he recovers from a head injury he suffered after colliding with a deer that had run onto the track near Turn Six at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. on Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Chris Pinderski, Champ Car World Series director of Medical Affairs, released the following statement from the hospital: "Cristiano da Matta remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Theda Clark Medical Center under the direct care of Randall R. Johnson M.D., Ph.D. from the Neuroscience Group of Northeast Wisconsin. Repeat CT scans show no further bleeding but Cristiano does have some cerebral adema, which is swelling of the brain itself. This is common with significant head injuries and was expected in this situation. His condition has stabilized but he will remain under heavy sedation as his recovery process continues."
http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News ... p?ID=10699

I wish to express to everyone and Cristiano's familt my sincere wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

Tom · Post 07 Aug 2006, 17:34

I do like Da Matta, he was a good driver in F1 and was unfortunate not to stay. I hope he recovers well and soon, but it must have been terrible, esspecially as dear don't die quickly and the drivers are so low down he would be right at its feet. Its a shame for the deer also.

I have heard of an incident pre 50s involving the legendary Tazio Nuvolari at Donnington I believe. He already had several broken ribs and was out on a practice when the deer ran in front of him and he couldn't avoid it. He broke several more ribs but escaped the doctors and won the race.

I've heard since that it was a fable but I like to think its true.

DaveKillens · Post 08 Aug 2006, 17:02

On Monday Champ Car Medical Director Dr. Chris Pinderski, who has been very involved in da Matta's care and recovery process, flew to Wisconsin to monitor the condition of da Matta. He visited da Matta and spoke with da Matta's family and attending physician, Dr. Randall R. Johnson. The following statement is an update on da Matta's medical status.

Dr. Chris Pinderski said about da Matta's condition: "Cristiano continues to make slow but steady progress while in the Intensive Care Unit at Theda Clark Medical Center. At this point in his recovery, Dr. Johnson has begun to decrease Cristiano's sedation. The care Cristiano has been receiving has been excellent and he'll remain in the Intensive Care Unit while his condition and progress are being monitored."
http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=126962

Tom · Post 14 Aug 2006, 17:09

Not sure how true this is, but:

Friday, August 11, 2006 - 7:35 PM
Cristano da Matta update- bad news!
Cristiano da Matta is no longer under sedation, but was expected to be able to answer people today- but he is not responding to any verbal communication. It was expected he could make at least some signal to words, if not speak himslf. He has not 'woken up' although not under sedation and it is unsure as to whether he will ever wake up at this stage. Yesterdays good news still continues with him responding to his arms and legs being pinched, but progress was expcted to go further today and it has not. His brain swelling is reducing still.

taken from an Alex Zanardi fans myspace page.

Don't read too much into it. Has anyone got any more reacent reports?