Race Direction statement: Luis Salom
“It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing away of Luis Salom. The session was immediately red-flagged, with just under 25 minutes remaining, after the Spanish rider fell at turn 12.”
“ Two medical cars, and then the two ambulances were immediately on scene to treat the 25 years old rider.”
“The medical helicopter was also deployed to assist in his medical treatment.”
“Due to the severity of his condition, the decision was taken to transfer Salom by road, to the nearby hospital General De Catalunya. On arrival, he underwent surgery, but despite the best efforts of the trauma team he passed away at 16:55 local time.”
Own notes: The marshals were immediately by his side, while the primary medical team arrived within two minutes. Medical cars and full team within four minutes. The helicopter (which they didn’t use for transport in the end) arrived 18 minutes after his crash. He was out of the track within approximately 20 minutes of his crash - time which they used to stabilize him and prepare him for travel I’m sure, given that his condition was too severe to use the helicopter to transfer him to a hospital.
All in all: The marshals and medical team at the Catalunya circuit, and of course the team at the hospital did their best to save Luis’ life. It is a tragedy that sometimes, even that isn’t enough.
Rossi: “I have not seen the crash, but a friend of mine saw the accident and told me that Salom went straight into the barriers, and then was hit by his own bike.”
It really sounds like there was nothing more the medical team could do for him at this point.
Watching this sport can give you the biggest highs - and also the lowest, most heart-breaking lows.
I could say he was taken too soon, that he was too young - but everyone already knows that, and every death in this sport is one where the rider lost their life to soon; regardless of their age.
Right now, I think I’ll try and remember high-points for Luis: His first Moto2 podium just three races into his rookie year in 2014 (after a rollercoaster of emotions through the opening rounds):
His amazing second place at the opening round in Qatar, after a podium-drought that lasted one and a half seasons.
His talent, wonderfully aggressive riding, and open emotional displays will be sorely missed.
“As I’ve always said, to do something well is so worthwhile, that to die trying to do it better cannot be foolhardy. Indeed, life is not measured in years alone, but in achievement.” - Bruce Mclaren
vaporwave
titsay
romaincrisis
pixelskylines
