This is total BS how the media and NASCAR have tried to sweep this thing under the rug. Initially they said the fans were "not seriously injured". I guess as long as the broken jaw is not yours, then it's not serious. Surgery and a wired shut jaw, in my book, is serious. Me having to suck blended baby food and juice through a straw for a few weeks is serious...
Fans injured in Edwards wreck UPDATE 2: Seven spectators suffered injuries at the end of the Aaron's 499 Sunday when the #99 Ford of Carl Edwards went airborne and slammed into the catchfence on the frontstretch. "None of the injuries are dangerous or life-threatening," said Dr. Bobby Lewis, medical director at Talladega Superspeedway. "It's mostly bumps and bruises with possible minor fractures." Two women were airlifted to an area hospital, but Lewis said that was for traffic concerns and not because of the severity of their injuries. "One has a lacerated lip and possible broken jaw," Lewis said. "The other person was not injured, but has unrelated medical problems." When the car hit the catchfence, pieces exploded off the car as catch fencing bent back severely, but did not break. "I'm not sure if it was pieces of car or pieces of debris from the fence that hurt the spectators," Lewis said.(ESPN)(4-26-2009)
UPDATE on fan: A woman who was injured during a wreck at Talladega Superspeedway is listed in fair condition at UAB Hospital. Another woman who was taken to Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham for treatment of a medical condition after the wreck was discharged Sunday night. Her name was not released. A spokesman for UAB Hospital said the fan still being treated, Blake Bobbitt, was in fair condition Monday afternoon. Seven fans sustained minor injuries caused by flying debris Sunday when Carl Edwards' car went into the safety fence on the final lap of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The other injured fans received treatment at the track and did not have to go to a hospital.(ESPN/AP)(4-27-2009)
UPDATE 2: A teenager from the Shoals area was among the spectators injured in a crash at the Talladega Super Speedway. Blake Bobbitt, 17, of Rogersville, was one of seven NASCAR fans injured when Carl Edwards' car went into the safety fence on the final lap of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega on Sunday. WHNT News 19 spoke exclusively with Bobbitt's father, whose grateful that his daughter is still alive. Terry Bobbitt owns the Minnow Bucket convenience store in Rogersville. He works long hours and does not get many days off. He saw Sunday as the perfect opportunity to take a break, have a good time and escort his teenage daughter to Talladega. "It was her first trip," says Bobbitt. Bobbitt and his daughter, Blake, landed seats on the second row. It was an exciting race. However, as it neared the end, the fun came to a crashing halt. "Basically, it was headed to us," says Bobbitt. Carl Edwards' race car flipped into another car and slammed into the metal safety fence - only a few feet from stunned and scared spectators. Metal debris flew everywhere. Terry and Blake took cover, but it wasn't quick enough. "When it actually happened, I turned and I pointed to her to make sure she saw the car that was coming in the air," says Bobbitt. "All in that same motion, I grabbed her and it took her down. I didn't know she'd been hit at all until we got up." A piece of metal broke Blake's jaw. Emergency responders rushed her to UAB Hospital. Doctors performed reconstructive surgery and had to insert two plates into her jaw. As a result, her mouth will be wired shut for the next six weeks. Blake Bobbitt attends Lauderdale County High School. Her 18th birthday and graduation are both within the next month. Her parents say it's bad timing, but still a big blessing. Terry says it's a miracle that Blake wasn't hurt worse. "She's alive. I'm alive," says Bobbitt. "That's the main thing. We had a guardian angel over us, no doubt." Terry Bobbitt and his wife both say that the community has been extremely supportive. Beyond that, Carl Edwards even called the hospital to check on Blake after the surgery. Terry says they're expecting doctors to release Blake from the hospital on Wednesday.(whnt.com)(4-29-2009)
Fans injured in Edwards wreck UPDATE 2: Seven spectators suffered injuries at the end of the Aaron's 499 Sunday when the #99 Ford of Carl Edwards went airborne and slammed into the catchfence on the frontstretch. "None of the injuries are dangerous or life-threatening," said Dr. Bobby Lewis, medical director at Talladega Superspeedway. "It's mostly bumps and bruises with possible minor fractures." Two women were airlifted to an area hospital, but Lewis said that was for traffic concerns and not because of the severity of their injuries. "One has a lacerated lip and possible broken jaw," Lewis said. "The other person was not injured, but has unrelated medical problems." When the car hit the catchfence, pieces exploded off the car as catch fencing bent back severely, but did not break. "I'm not sure if it was pieces of car or pieces of debris from the fence that hurt the spectators," Lewis said.(ESPN)(4-26-2009)
UPDATE on fan: A woman who was injured during a wreck at Talladega Superspeedway is listed in fair condition at UAB Hospital. Another woman who was taken to Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham for treatment of a medical condition after the wreck was discharged Sunday night. Her name was not released. A spokesman for UAB Hospital said the fan still being treated, Blake Bobbitt, was in fair condition Monday afternoon. Seven fans sustained minor injuries caused by flying debris Sunday when Carl Edwards' car went into the safety fence on the final lap of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. The other injured fans received treatment at the track and did not have to go to a hospital.(ESPN/AP)(4-27-2009)
UPDATE 2: A teenager from the Shoals area was among the spectators injured in a crash at the Talladega Super Speedway. Blake Bobbitt, 17, of Rogersville, was one of seven NASCAR fans injured when Carl Edwards' car went into the safety fence on the final lap of the Aaron's 499 at Talladega on Sunday. WHNT News 19 spoke exclusively with Bobbitt's father, whose grateful that his daughter is still alive. Terry Bobbitt owns the Minnow Bucket convenience store in Rogersville. He works long hours and does not get many days off. He saw Sunday as the perfect opportunity to take a break, have a good time and escort his teenage daughter to Talladega. "It was her first trip," says Bobbitt. Bobbitt and his daughter, Blake, landed seats on the second row. It was an exciting race. However, as it neared the end, the fun came to a crashing halt. "Basically, it was headed to us," says Bobbitt. Carl Edwards' race car flipped into another car and slammed into the metal safety fence - only a few feet from stunned and scared spectators. Metal debris flew everywhere. Terry and Blake took cover, but it wasn't quick enough. "When it actually happened, I turned and I pointed to her to make sure she saw the car that was coming in the air," says Bobbitt. "All in that same motion, I grabbed her and it took her down. I didn't know she'd been hit at all until we got up." A piece of metal broke Blake's jaw. Emergency responders rushed her to UAB Hospital. Doctors performed reconstructive surgery and had to insert two plates into her jaw. As a result, her mouth will be wired shut for the next six weeks. Blake Bobbitt attends Lauderdale County High School. Her 18th birthday and graduation are both within the next month. Her parents say it's bad timing, but still a big blessing. Terry says it's a miracle that Blake wasn't hurt worse. "She's alive. I'm alive," says Bobbitt. "That's the main thing. We had a guardian angel over us, no doubt." Terry Bobbitt and his wife both say that the community has been extremely supportive. Beyond that, Carl Edwards even called the hospital to check on Blake after the surgery. Terry says they're expecting doctors to release Blake from the hospital on Wednesday.(whnt.com)(4-29-2009)
