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Not intending to offend or criticize anyone including track owners and did not imply that they want to see anyone injured.
Years back my dad spent 3 months in the hospital and 9 months recovering from a racing incident.
IMO,the more reasonable safety the better.
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look for the lessons
I feel sure no one wants to accuse anyone, and I don't think that helps if they do. The sport carries risk, just like cheerleading, SCUBA and football, which have all produced significant injuries also. What needs to happen, after this and any other injury, is an analysis to see if we can learn how to prevent future injuries. It sounds like a non-frontal impact into a well designed barrier, which ussually results in people walking away. Can we figure out why this time, Brian didn't get to walk away? I don't know if there is a standing commitee to do this, or any mechanism to accomplish this in our 'litigate first, think later' world, but there ought to be.
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Add me to the list of people wishing Brian a fast recovery and sending prayers for him.
The only way to make racing 100% safe would be to put us all in front of simulators in a room. And even then, someone would probably sprain their thumb.
The best anyone can do is to constantly improve safety, such as what LRP has done over the years. There have been some major upgrades since the '80's, let alone earlier.
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Even simulators aren't safe, you could get carpel tunnel from the steering wheel. As Race car drivers you except, but don't acknowledge, the fact that grave injury could be around any corner. If you worried about it, you'd never be fast or competitive. While this is a terrible blow to our family and the racing community, I think we can all agree that Lime Rock keeps everyones safety first and foremost. I'm sure they are also reviewing the incident and if any improvements can be made in the future to prevent something similar that it will be done. Thanks again to all of you for your well wishes.
Ian
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" just like cheerleading, SCUBA and football"Cheerleading really?:)I never considered cheerleading to be a contact sport.I guess they do jump,flip and fall.Seriously tracks do think about constantly updating safety issues before and after accidents.Lets just wish Brian a speedy recovery.
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Hey guys, there are a couple of other threads right now discussing safety and accidents. This thread should be left to information about Brian and his current status.
Thanks
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Any news today? I thought they were withdrawing sedation so it's a fairly important time.
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Thanks Doug . I agree totally .
All my thoughts are for Brian and his family right now .
Tim
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Best wishes go out to Brian and his family from the UMW squad! I hope his recovery is a quick and positive all-around!
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They should start weaning him off sedation tomorrow, his doctor had emergency surgeries all day. Then hopefully I'll have nothing but good news to post for you all.
Ian
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Hopefully the fact that sedation was increased to stop him from moving is a favorable sign. He's definitely in our thoughts and prayers
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2:30PM Wednesday June 13, just spoke with Brians Dad Jim.
No real changes to report beyond the docs are going to remove the pressure gauge for cranial pressure as that at least has dropped to an acceptable level.
The intent seems to be to lower the sedation medication over the following few days and watch what happens very closely, obviously.
There is simply no concrete news either good or bad to get hold of, it is a waiting game and no one knows for how long.
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Thanks for the update Mike. I'm keeping Brian & his family in my prayers.
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Thanks for the update Mike, our prayers added for Brian.
Brandon & Forrest
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Brian Update
I spoke with my mother this morning, Brian is showing good progress. He shows no signs of paralysis having reflex and response in all of his extremities. He has started his reduction in sedation and had the sensor removed for his intercranial pressure. His eyes react to light with proper dialation and his fever is almost gone. Hopefully if all continues well he will be moved back to Connecticut soon and maybe be cleared to have some visitors. Thanks everyone for your prayers and well wishes.
Ian Copperthite
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Thank you for the update Ian. Let's hope things keep progressing right along!
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Good News
Great News - Our prayers continue...
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Great News! Keep it coming.
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Great news! I'll hoist an IBC [thats as strong as I drink] down here in the southland for luck and continued good vibes.
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Well wishes!
It's sad to hear of this accident, but it is great that he is recovering! Best of luck to Brian and his family. :thumbsup:
Meg Sauce
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Prayers
Are in place for Brian and your family. So for all the news is good. let's all pray that Brian will be back in total very soon!
We are pulling for you all!
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Great news! Thanks for keeping us posted.
CM
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Great news. Fingers crossed.
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Yeah, superlative news.
And best wishes for a quick and total recovery for Brian.
Chris Crowe
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Good News
My very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery for Brian. Keeping him in my prayers.
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Hello, Ian,
My name is Karen Petersen. I am one of the 3 workers that responded last Friday from the grid, accompanied by a driver from the next group (SM) who turned out to be a general surgen (I believe he has talked to your dad). First, please know that Brian and all of you have been in my heart and thoughts steadily for the past week.
Mike Rand is correct that the track safety features are certainly adequate. I've been a grid worker for over 30 years and have seen the amount and level of injuries decrease over the years from ever-improving technology and safety features. From what I have been told by various eye-witnesses, I think about the only thing that might have helped would be if he had had a halo attached to the seat.
Judy Greer was the first on the scene. She called in the emergency. Sydnia Czarnecki was the grid worker who stayed with your dad until someone from Lime Rock guest services took him to his paddock area. Another guest services member (Jack) then ensured that he would be getting to Sharon Hospital safely. Other grid workers jumped in, filling whatever needs there were as EMS extricated and transported Brian. Pit lane was blocked entirely, so in-coming cars were routed out through the grid.
The doctor who responded works in Torrington, and knew a number of the EMS workers professionally. They and the doctor meshed together as a solid team immediately, acting quickly and competently. It was impressive to watch.
Please pass my thoughts and prayers along to your parents. Mike gave me your dad's phone number, but I have been hesitant to disturb him.
Karen
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Karen
Thanks to you and your entire crew for the quick response following Brian's terrible accident. I appreciate that workers were available to give my father personal attention during what I can only imagine as a nightmare to witness. Lime Rock is a world class venue with exceptional people and safety features and anything less may have only made this even more tragic. You are welcome to contact my father and convey well wishes to him, the prayers from the racing community have been amazing and well needed.
Updates for today:
Brian is fighting an infection and fever right now as a result of the ventilator tubing thru his mouth. When the fever breaks we hope to get him transferred to the Hospital of Special Care in New Britain, CT. but it may also be another facility in CT.
I'll let everyone know after he gets moved about visiting as I know some of you have expressed an interest.
Thanks again to eveyone for your support and well wishes
Ian
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Brian
Brian has changed rooms and we expect him to be transferred to Connecticut early next week. While Brian has yet to regain consciousness, he has started moving a bit. He keeps knocking his Pulse Ox sensor off his finger and he seems annoyed by the blood pressure cuff on his arm. We see these as encouraging signs and hope that before long he'll be telling us how annoying this whole situation is instead of subconsciously knocking them off.
Thanks again for your continued well wishes and support.
Ian
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Encouraging news. I really appreciate your keeping everyone updated. I share your posts with other SCCA workers, who are equally concerned about Brian.
When he is relocated I know I and others will want to visit him and your family.
Karen Petersen
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Thanks for taking the time to keep us all updated. The news sounds encouraging, I hope to hear more of it!
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Has the address to send cards to changed? Should we send them to someone's residence?
Lance
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Brian is now in room 323, but we are hoping that by Weds. he'll be transported to CT. If you'd like to send a card you can send it to my parents house. We are still waiting to see which hospital in CT Brian gets into.
130 Mack Rd.
Middlefield, CT. 06455
Thanks again to everyone for their continued thoughts and well wishes
Ian
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Moving away from ICUs sounds great! Thanks for the info on Brian's road to recovery.
Rick Kean
Houston
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Brian Update
We are waiting on some tests to determine the origin of his fever. Brian has been accepted into a couple of different rehab hospitals but no decision has been made so far. We are still hoping to have him transferred by the end of the week. Besides that he hasn't really changed, still not conscious and limited purpuseful movements.
Thanks again to everyone for the continued support and well wishes.
Ian
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Brian Update
When my parents arrived at the hospital this morning they found Brian awake with both eyes open. He hasn't spoken, but this is a good start in his recovery. Brian will be moved next week to Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, NY. They have an excellent facilty and Brian will need their expertise on his road to recovery. While he isn't out of the woods yet and the extent of his injury still not known we still have much to pray for. But for this good news we are very thankful.
Thanks to all for the continued well wishes and support.
Ian
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Go get'em Brian! Recover, recover, recover.
Thanks for the update.
:)
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Thanks again for taking the time to keep us all updated :thumbsup: Keep at it Brian!
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Excellent news! More progress....
Get well Brian!