F1 driver Webber breaks leg after collision with car
Saturday, 22 Nov 2008 09:34
Webber was injured while riding his mountain bike
Red Bull driver Mark Webber has been seriously injured after colliding with a car while riding his mountain bike during an endurance race in Tasmania, Australia.
Webber was competing in his own event, the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250 km event that includes mountain biking, kayaking and trekking throughout the island.
The Australian was on a mountain bike stage when he collided with a car and had to be airlifted to hospital for treatment.
It is believed that Webber has broken his leg and sustained some other injuries but none are thought to be life-threatening.
According to local police, the accident happened on a remote road south east of the capital city Hobart at about 12.40pm local time (01:40 GMT).
Sergeant Jon Ford, of Tasmania Police, said: "At 12.40pm we received reports of a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle on the Fortescue Bay Road on the Tasman Peninsula.
"The collision was initially attended by paramedics attached to the event.
"He was airlifted from the scene by helicopter and taken to the Royal Hobart hospital where he is now being treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries.
"He suffered a broken leg and other injuries and is reported to be in a stable condition."
The accident means Webber will miss vital testing time for Red Bull ahead of the new season. The team's next test is scheduled for Jerez in Spain on December 9th.