Despite initial fears of a broken pelvis, Moto2 rider Scott Redding avoided serious injury yesterday in an accident that tragically claimed the life of fellow competitor Shoya Tomizawa at the San Marino GP.
Tomizawa was running in fourth place when he fell on the back straight and was hit at high speed by Alex de Angelis and Redding, who were unable to avoid him. Nineteen-year-old Tomizawa sustained fatal injuries, passing away later in hospital, while Redding was treated for a back laceration that required 10 stitches.
The tragedy cast a pall over the entire MotoGP weekend, with flags raised at half-mast for the podium ceremonies and the mood of sombre reflection rather than celebration.
Despite being blameless in what was just a tragic chain of events, Redding was unsurprisingly deeply upset, as was de Angelis, who miraculously walked away from the crash unharmed.
"I feel sorry for de Angelis and our rider Scott Redding," said Suter Racing’s Eskil Suter. "After the initial suspicion of a fractured pelvis, Scott was cleared of serious injuries. But mentally he is completely shattered, even though nothing that happened was his fault. Today was a sad reminder that racing remains dangerous, despite all improvements in track safety."
"Scott's crash was a big one, so we are thankful that the only injury he sustained was a minor laceration on his back," said Michael Bartholemy, who runs Redding's Suter Racing machine for the Marc VDS team. "We were deeply saddened by the news that Shoya Tomizawa succumbed to the injuries sustained. He was a respected rival and will be sorely missed in the paddock. Like everyone in the Marc VDS Racing Team, my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."
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