On July 7th, 2013 I was photographing the FIA GT Series race at Circuit Park Zandvoort, when the number 14 Audi R8 LMS Ultra of Portuguese driver César Campaniço had a problem braking for the Tarzan corner and smashed right into the guardrail behind which I was crouching. The car bounced back, spinning across the track and ended up badly damaged in the gravel on the outside of the corner. Luckily no other cars were hit and the driver walked away from the car on his own.
I wasn’t so lucky myself. When the car hit the guardrail, it flexed just enough to send me flying. I ended up on the grass a few meters away, noticed I couldn’t stand up and waved for the marshalls. Right away help came, and being at a circuit the medical staff was very quick to arrive as well. I had a neck brace put on and was taken to the circuit’s medical room. Another ambulance brought me to hospital for surgery. I have had surgery to the knee and hip again at another hospital. Recovery will take months but luckily my other leg and upper body are fine. For those who don’t know, I was not a spectator but an accredited photographer and it was a relatively safe spot but anything can happen in motorsports with ‘only’ a barrier inbetween you and a fast car.
There’s plenty of news articles and YouTube clips if you want to see the crash and me flying. Needless to say I won’t be leaving home a lot in the coming months…
update 2013/11/03: I can now walk with crutches and stand on two feet, which is a relief. Still a long way to go for full recovery, but getting better in little steps…
update 2016/01/09: A lot has changed since the last update, I can walk, ride my bicycle, climb and go down stairs without aids. I’m working full-time again. I still have ‘drop foot’ but I’m not afraid of tripping. Still need physiotherapy twice a week and can’t go running but I pretty much lead a normal life again 🙂
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