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Bathurst driver dies from injuries - Coffee Break - 10-08-2006 02:45 PM
Bathurst driver dies from injuries
October 08, 2006 07:45pm
BATHURST was rocked by tragedy today following news of the death of race driver Mark Porter, who died from injuries suffered in his massive crash at Mount Panorama two days ago.
Porter, 31, died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney late this afternoon after suffering serious head and chest injuries in a 180kph crash with David Clark during a second tier V8 race at the Bathurst 1000 meeting on Friday.
Two hours after the crowd celebrated Craig Lowndes' emotional victory and on the day they farewelled the late Peter Brock, Porter's family issued a statement announcing his death "with untold sadness".
The Gold Coast based New Zealander leaves behind his wife Adrienne and one-year-old son Flynn.
The news dealt a devastating blow to Mount Panorama on a day already high on emotion following the tributes to Brock who died in a rally crash in Western Australia last month.
Porter is the fourth driver to die at Bathurst, following Mike Burgmann in 1986, Denny Hulme in 1992 and Don Watson in 1994.
His parents had flown in from New Zealand and were at his bedside with Adrienne and Flynn.
"The family wishes to convey their heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of the medical crews who have been involved all the way through - at the track, at the Bathurst Base Hospital and at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and all of those who transported Mark between those facilities," they said.
"They gave Mark every chance at life, for which we thank them.
"The family also expresses their appreciation of the efforts of the officials of V8 Supercars Australia, all of whom have done their utmost to support all those involved in this tragedy."
Clark, 28, appears on the way to recovery and regained consciousness this morning after being taken to Nepean Hospital in Penrith in a critical condition on Friday.
The Adelaide father of three is breathing unaided and is recovering well from a punctured right lung and fractures to his pelvis, right arm and leg.
Tests have not revealed any significant spinal or head injuries.
Clark woke from his induced coma with his wife Leah, eight-month-old daughter Reese and parents by his bedside.
The accident happened in front of a shocked crowd near Reid Park on the climb up the Mount Panorama circuit.
On the 12th lap of the 14 lap development race on Friday, Porter suddenly spun his Holden Commodore sideways, stalled and was left stranded in the middle of the track in an area blinded to oncoming traffic.
Television footage showed the helpless Porter hold his hands in the air a split second before Clark ploughed into him.
Clark sent his Ford Falcon sideways in a valiant attempt to escape collision but crashed directly into Porter's driver's side door at around 180kph.
Ambulance crews took more than 10 minutes to cut Porter free through the passenger's door and immediately commenced CPR on the stricken driver on the track.
He was taken by ambulance to Bathurst Base Hospital and was airlifted later that day to RPA.
V8 Supercars Australia chief executive Wayne Cattach said a thorough investigation would be held into the crash.
Amid speculation on the cause of the crash, one driver said he noticed Porter's car had been dripping oil, which his rear tyres may have caught and caused his sudden spin.
News Limited