Stirling Moss Breaks Ankles In Lift Accident
4:27pm UK, Monday March 08, 2010
Roddy Mansfield, Sky News Online
Sir Stiling Moss has undergone surgery for multiple injuries after falling three floors down a lift-shaft.
Sir Stirling Moss: broke both ankles, four bones in his foot and chipped four vertibrae
The 80-year-old motor-racing legend suffered two broken ankles, four broken bones in his foot and four chipped vertibrae in the accident at his home in Mayfair.
A statement on Moss' website confirmed he was "comfortable and recovering," after surgery and that: "his immediate family were present with him at the time of the accident." It continued: "Paramedics were called and he was taken to the Royal London Hospital. He remained conscious throughout.
"With the assistance of former FIA medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins, he was moved to a hospital closer to home where he underwent surgery on both his ankles, which were plated and pinned." The accident occurred when the door to the lift at his home opened before the lift had arrived. Sir Stirling stepped into the shaft in the expectation the lift was there when it wasn't.
Moss holds up the Grand Prix Cup after winning the British Grand Prix in 1955
His wife, Lady Susie Moss, said: "This was a very unfortunate accident. It could just as easily have been another member of the family stepping into where the lift should have been." Hospital staff expect it could take six weeks for Moss to fully recover from his injuries.
Sir Stirling is widely recognised as one of the greatest all-round racing drivers in the history of motorsport.
In March 2000, after he recieved a knighthood from Prince Charles, Moss was driving his Mercedes away from Buckingham Palace.
He was stopped by a palace guard who joked: "Who do you think your are? Stirling Moss?" Moss reportedly replied: "Sir Stirling Moss, actually."
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Re: Sir Sterling Moss Breaks Ankles In Lift Accident
From his web site
Following an accident at his home in Mayfair on Saturday evening, as a result of a lift malfunction, Sir Stirling Moss suffered two broken ankles, four broken bones to his foot, skin aberrations and four chipped vertebrae. He is now comfortable and recovering in a London hospital after surgery to both ankles.
His immediate family were present with him at the time of the accident, Paramedics were called and he was taken to the Royal London Hospital. He remained conscious throughout. With the assistance of Professor Sid Watkins he was moved on Sunday to a hospital closer to his home where he underwent surgery on both his ankles, which were plated and pinned.
The accident occurred as a consequence of falling down three floors in the lift shaft at his home. The door to the lift, that should have remained locked if the lift was not on the floor that it was called from, opened in error. He stepped into the narrow open shaft in the expectation that the lift would be present for him to walk into, as it should have been.
Lady Moss, Stirling’s wife, stated “this was a very unfortunate accident; it could have just as easily been another member of the family stepping into where the lift should have been”.
The family are very relieved that Stirling survived the fall, demonstrating that his body still has the same resilience to injury as it did in his racing days. He is comfortable, following a good night’s rest post surgery, and is well on the road to recovery.
It is expected that it will take up to 6 weeks for him to recover from his injuries.
The family would like to thank everyone, on behalf of Stirling, for their messages of support.
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You draw 'em a picture and they eat the crayons... (Duck Waddle commenting on the creative ways some people interpret driving instruction.)
Re: Sir Sterling Moss Breaks Ankles In Lift Accident
Turns out the elevator was a one of a kind custom carbon fiber cab made by the Williams F1 team as a gift to Sir Stirling. Apparently it stuck on the floor above. The building is 6 stories high so it actually could have been worse. How an 80 year old man could fall 3 stories, land on his feet and survive with broken bones defies all logic... But Sir Stirling has always done that so I suppose we shouldn't be surprised.
The elevator is at the tail end of this video visit to gadget heaven.
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Re: Sir Sterling Moss Breaks Ankles In Lift Accident
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdh
Well I certainly hope that is his last crash in anything made by McLaren ...... note to self...call OTIS in the morning
Or Williams F1, for that matter.
There is some material available about 'high eyes', but in deference to Sir Stirling, I wouldn't dare.
Besides, I respect him too much. Get well soon.
BTW. Rehab sucks. Trust me on that. Do it anyway.
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Re: Sir Sterling Moss Breaks Ankles In Lift Accident
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldredracer
There is some material available about 'high eyes', but in deference to Sir Stirling, I wouldn't dare.
Actually, in this case, "low" eyes were likely needed. Gotta watch where you step in the pedestrian world. Very sorry to hear, glad he is ok, hope for a speedy recovery.
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