Teenage driver OK after crash at speedway

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GISBORNE youth ministock racer Samantha Durston has recovered well after the nasty rollover she was involved in at the Eastland Group Raceway on Saturday night. Firefighters had to cut the roof off the 13-year-old’s car to get her out.

“Sammy was turning pit corner when her car was clipped by another vehicle and she rolled,” said Gisborne Speedway Club vice president Dean Quinn.

Her car rolled and hit the wall, then spun in the air to land heavily on its roof. Safety crew members and track officials were quickly on the scene to tend to the injured driver.

“There were concerns Sammy had suffered a possible neck injury and so the greatest care was taken from the outset,” Mr Quinn said.

“She was in considerable pain in the neck and shoulder area.”

She was kept in her vehicle, with her neck supported, while the car was carefully rolled back on to its wheels after about 10 minutes. The race was called off while rescue work went on.

First aid administeredThe car was pushed slowly to the back of the pits area where further first aid was administered until St John paramedics arrived. They stabilised Miss Durston while firefighters cut the roof off her car to get her out, which was also done with great care.

“Samantha was assessed in the emergency department, underwent some tests, and was then given the all-clear from any serious injury,” a St John spokesman said.

“Sammy told me yesterday she actually enjoyed the roll, but she doesn’t want to do it again,” her dad Brent said this morning.

“She’s fine. She’s back to school today and was on to me yesterday to get started to repair the car. We hope to have her back out again this Saturday.

“Her mum Toni and I would like to thank everyone who helped our daughter on the night. Especially Tony Kendrew and Jamie Simpson. They were awesome.”

It was one of three rollovers in the youth ministock finals races in the Eastland Ministock 100 on Saturday night. The drivers in the other two rollovers were not injured.

“Everyone involved in helping Sammy acted very professionally. That’s our club rescue teams and the emergency services personel,” Dean Quinn said.

“A big pat on the back for everyone involved.”