Photo: Sergio Barrenechea/Shutterstock
American race car driver Juan Manuel Correa has been placed in a medically induced coma after acrashat the Spa-Francorchamps circuit during the Belgian Grand Prix on August 31.
Juan Manuel’s parents, Juan Carlos and Maria Correa, said in astatementon Friday that “new complications have surfaced as a consequence of the massive impact he suffered” from the crash, which killed French racer Antoine Hubert.
After a four-hour surgery at the CHU Liège hospital in Belgium after the crash, Juan Manuel, 20, was subsequently taken to a hospital in London to be treated, theBBC reported. There, he was diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, his parents’ statement continued.
“Unfortunately, this injury resulted in Juan Manuel falling into Acute Respiratory Failure,” Juan Carlos and Maria Correa added. “Juan Manuel is currently in an Intensive Care Unit that specializes in respiratory injuries. At this point of time he is an in induced state of unconsciousness and under ECMO support. Juan Manuel is in critical but stable condition.”
“We are confident that our son will surprise us like he always does with his tremendous fighting will and strength and will recover completely,” they continued, before offering their condolences to the Hubert family.
The accident at the Spa-Francorchamps race track.REMKO DE WAAL/Shutterstock
The crash on August 31 took place at the Spa-Francorchamps race’s treacherous Raidillon turn during the second lap, according toUSA Today. The race was immediately canceled after the fatal collision, which also involved French driver Giuliano Alesi, who was determined stable after receiving medical attention, the outlet reported.
Hubert’s car, which was hit at a speed of upwards of 200 kilometers per hour, split in two in the crash,ESPN reportedat the time.
Juan Manuel Correa.Sergio Barrenechea/Shutterstock
RELATED VIDEO: ‘Mythbusters’ Star and Race Car Driver Jessi Combs Dead at 36 After Jet-Car Crash
source: people.com
