Tragedy in Class 1

[jonesn']

From the C1 website...UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship Official Website

Friday, 13 July, LIBREVILLE (Gabon): Officials of the UIM are deeply shocked and saddened to announce the tragic news of the death of pilot William Nocker from England following a racing accident during race one of the Gabon Grand Prix, round 2 of the Class 1 World Powerboat Championship.

Co-pilot Kurt Olsen from Norway remains in a critical condition in intensive care.

The pilots of boat number 9, Welmax, representing the Welmax Offshore Racing Team, were involved in a high-speed crash on lap four of the race taking place in Libreville on the estuary of the Gabon River.

The race was red flagged as safety personnel immediately attended to both pilots at the scene.

They were subsequently transferred by ambulance to Omar Bongo Ondimba Military Hospital, where all efforts to resuscitate William Nocker were in vain.

The Welmax Offshore Racing Team and officials of the UIM and H2O Racing pass on their deepest condolences to the family of William Nocker.

As a mark of respect to the pilots and families, the event organisers have cancelled tomorrow’s race and all event activities.

The UIM has launched an immediate investigation into the accident.


Thoughts and prayers to all involved!!!

[Ratickle]

Wow, been too much of that lately.


Our condolences, RIP.

[Lucididee]

So sad

[Lucididee]

KURT OLSEN IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION

Saturday, 14 July, LIBREVILLE (Gabon): 2012: Class 1 Doctor, Dr Francesco de Boccard, has issued the following bulletin on the condition of Norwegian pilot Kurt Olsen.

Kurt Olsen continues to be treated for his injuries in the Omar Bongo Ondimba Military Hospital.

His condition is critical, but stable and his vital and neurological signs are good.

He remains in an induced unconscious state and is on breathing assistance. The contusion to the lungs created some breathing difficulties, but will not require surgery.

He has multiple fractures of the ribs and scapula.

The first CT scan was clear with a second to be carried out in 48hrs.

UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship Official Website

[Lucididee]

THE PRIME MINISTER OF GABON LEADS TEAMS IN TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM NOCKER

Saturday, 14 July, LIBREVILLE (Gabon): The Prime Minister of Gabon Raymond Ndong Sima joined the teams when they returned to the waters’ of the Gabon Estuary this afternoon to pay their own special respects to Englishman, William Nocker, who lost his life in yesterday’s tragic racing accident.

In a fitting tribute to William, the race boats carried the number 9 and motored slowly out to muster at the site of yesterday’s accident to hold a one minute silent tribute to their lost friend.

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Rufin Pacome Ondzounga, the Minister of Sports, Seraphin Moundounga and Nicolo di San Germano, president of H2O Racing, laid a wreath on the water as competitors and team members scattered flowers to his memory. “We are all extremely saddened by this tragic racing accident. There are very few suitable words at a time such as this but we all send our heartfelt condolences to William’s family.” said Nicolo di San Germano.

UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship Official Website