Hamilton supports teen from horror crash
Three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has rallied to the support of a teenage British racing driver who had both legs amputated in a horrific high-speed crash.
Billy Monger was left fighting for his life after the crash in a Formula Four race at Donington Park race track in England last Sunday, a smash which left him trapped in his car for around 90 minutes.
Now, a crowd-funding campaign has been set-up with a target of £260,000 ($474,000).
“I have only just seen the news of this tragic incident,” Mercedes star Hamilton tweeted with a link to the fund-raising site.
Sergio Perez, a rival of Hamilton in the F1 championship, also appealed for help.
The 17-year-old Monger was injured in a collision with a car being driven by Finland's Patrik Pasma which appeared to have stopped on the track.
Onboard footage from a camera on Monger's car showed him seeming to run into the back of Pasma's stationary car. The teenage driver was airlifted to hospital in Nottingham.
“After being involved in one of the most horrific crashes motorsport has seen, Billy Monger is a teenager that needs little introduction. Thousands of people have already watched the haunting footage of the crash which left Billy fighting for his life,” said a statement on a fund-raising page for the driver. “Sadly Billy has had amputations to both legs.”
Crowdfunding site Justgiving.com has already received £340,240 in donations. — AFP