Jules Bianchi, Formula One driver for Marussia team who was
critically injured in the F1 race on October 5, 2014 at the Suzuka circuit in
Japan is reported to be still in the Intensive Care Unit of the General Medical
Center in Yokkaichi, Japan. According to
a statement made by Bianchi’s family, he “suffered a diffuse axonal injury and
is in a critical but stable condition”
According to medical experts, Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is
one of the most common and devastating types of traumatic brain injury. The
damage in this case occurs over a more widespread area than in focal brain
injury. DAI, which refers to extensive lesions in white matter tracts, is one
of the major causes of unconsciousness and persistent vegetative state after
head trauma. It occurs in about half of all cases of severe head trauma. The
outcome, experts say, is frequently coma, with over 90pc of patients with
severe DAI never regaining consciousness. Those who do wake up often remain
significantly impaired, experts observe.
Bianchi was operated after he sustained severe head injuries
when his car crashed into a recovery vehicle that had come to lift the stalled
Sauber car of Adrian Sutil.
In fact a video by a spectator, monitored by Motown India
team, clearly proves that Bianchi had no clue that he would be crashing into a recovery
vehicle that was reversing after picking up the Sauber car. Though FIA, the governing
body of Formula One race would be enquiring into the matter, the fact is that
the race was not apparently stopped despite the fact that Adrian Sutil was out
of his car observing his car being lifted away.
Or perhaps it seemed there was a delay in deploying the safety car.
The video grab clearly indicates that a green flag was being
waved while the recovery vehicle was backing.
It was being waved from atop a post number 12. It was also apparent that
Bianchi was driving at great speed, upwards of 170kmh and the entire incident
happened in a blink of an eyelid. As for the green flag, it is not clear
whether it was meant for Bianchi to drive by or for the recovery vehicle to
start backing. Either way, the action was wrong and proved fatal for Bianchi. F1
observers in India feel that had this gross negligence happened in India, the
country would have been banned for ever from the F1 circuit. Japan being a
developed country may just about get away with this massive blunder by its
ground staff.
Meanwhile, as Bianchi fights for his life, his family
members have reached the hospital in
Japan.
The following statement was provided by the family of Jules
Bianchi, in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center, and was
distributed on their behalf by the Marussia F1 Team.
“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the
messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a
source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere
appreciation.
Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General
Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in
a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are
providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything
they have done for Jules since his accident.
We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard
Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro
Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to
Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today
and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules’ treatment, in order
to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the
family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being
provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their
Japanese colleagues.
The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and
further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”
Picture of Jules Bianchi