Last night at the local race track in Grand Bay, Alabama, Tommy Praytor was racing his Bandolero (go-cart with roll cage and body) spun out coming out of number 4 turn, did a 360 and slammed into the wall. Medics were working on him, but he was not responding. When they tried to hook the IV up it relaxed him. He had to be airlifted from the track to the hopsital. His seatbelt "gave" and his head hit the wall. His helmet was scuffed and damaged.
You can see Tommy and his Bandolero at http://www.sunnysouthraceway.com and click on racer links.
We are all one big family at the track. I have seen many wrecks, but have never experienced one with a kid involved this seriously. It is heartwrenching. I am asking everybody to say a prayer for Tommy.
If any of you know Ricky Crawford (he drives in the Nascar truck series) his son, Adam Crawford is a frequent racer with Tommy in the Bandolero class!
Thanks everybody!
Linda
13 year old critically injured... prayers needed
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GulfBreezer
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Linda,
Your friend is in my prayers. I have been away from the board all weekend was at the racetrack myself - hubby was racing in Super Chevy Show until we were rained out. I know the dangers or racing - it can be so much fun and yet so dangerous. I will keep him in my prayers. Please keep me posted. Such a young age....
Patricia
Your friend is in my prayers. I have been away from the board all weekend was at the racetrack myself - hubby was racing in Super Chevy Show until we were rained out. I know the dangers or racing - it can be so much fun and yet so dangerous. I will keep him in my prayers. Please keep me posted. Such a young age....
Patricia
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The Moose was on the loose in the feature race Friday night at Sunny South Raceway, Thomas, Justin Shoemaker and Mike Ludlow were putting on a heck of a show with each driver leading at least twice during the race. With a few laps left coming out of turn 4 the Moose's Outdoor Channel Bandolero wiggled, Thomas running 2nd tried to correct the car in order to stay in contention for the win. In saving the car it bit hard on the left rear tire and made a sharp right turn sending Thomas head first into the turn 4 wall wide open.
The flagman, Jimmy Day, was the first on the scene by jumping out of the flag tower and climbing the fence to get to Thomas. Stephanie and the Newman's Ambulance crew were there shortly thereafter. The force of the impact crushed the right side of the car and Thomas's head made impact with the upper right halo bar of the roll cage. Thomas's helmet was cracked and had a huge dent from the impact (This is exactly what a helmet should do in this type of impact and we are glad we use one of the best in G-Force). At the scene Thomas was breathing but unconscious and not moving. Stephanie, thinking better than any of us started the process of getting a neck collar and a back board on Thomas, so he could be transported, by South Flight to USA.
While waiting for South Flight, Stephanie tried to start an IV in Thomas. I'm not sure but I think it took 5 or 6 guys to hold Thomas down while that was done. As a Dad seeing Thomas toss paramedics around the inside of the ambulance was the first good sign I had that he may be OK. Once at USA the doctors started a batteries of test and "hooking" Thomas up to the machines. A second good sign came while they were inserting tubes into Thomas's body when sat up and told them to stop and get them out. The CT scan revealed that Thomas has suffered a serious concussion and a bruise on the upper left part of his brain with a small blood spot in the same area, it also revealed that he had no other broken bones and no neck injury. For the last 2 years Thomas has been wearing a HANS device, the same thing the Winston Cup drivers wear. I've told everyone that will listen that their son should be wearing one too. In addition to not having a neck injury, Thomas has no broken bones, bruising or belt burns on his upper body because the HANS dissipated the energy of the initial impact. The G-Force helmet and the HANS saved Thomas's life, if you do not have a quality helmet and a real head and neck restraint device this is your wake up call.
Thomas is currently in ICU at USA's Children and Women's Hospital, he is listed in guarded condition, he is responsive to commands and will communicate when woken up, he is still listed as being in a comma because he has not come around on his own. He is schedule for another CT scan on Sunday morning to confirm that everything is as it was on Friday night.
In closing we want to thank everyone that helped Thomas this weekend, from the guys at Newmans, the people at the track, South Flight, the doctors and nurses at USA, and the hundreds of people that have called or come by to check on Thomas. Thomas is truly a lucky person in many ways.
The flagman, Jimmy Day, was the first on the scene by jumping out of the flag tower and climbing the fence to get to Thomas. Stephanie and the Newman's Ambulance crew were there shortly thereafter. The force of the impact crushed the right side of the car and Thomas's head made impact with the upper right halo bar of the roll cage. Thomas's helmet was cracked and had a huge dent from the impact (This is exactly what a helmet should do in this type of impact and we are glad we use one of the best in G-Force). At the scene Thomas was breathing but unconscious and not moving. Stephanie, thinking better than any of us started the process of getting a neck collar and a back board on Thomas, so he could be transported, by South Flight to USA.
While waiting for South Flight, Stephanie tried to start an IV in Thomas. I'm not sure but I think it took 5 or 6 guys to hold Thomas down while that was done. As a Dad seeing Thomas toss paramedics around the inside of the ambulance was the first good sign I had that he may be OK. Once at USA the doctors started a batteries of test and "hooking" Thomas up to the machines. A second good sign came while they were inserting tubes into Thomas's body when sat up and told them to stop and get them out. The CT scan revealed that Thomas has suffered a serious concussion and a bruise on the upper left part of his brain with a small blood spot in the same area, it also revealed that he had no other broken bones and no neck injury. For the last 2 years Thomas has been wearing a HANS device, the same thing the Winston Cup drivers wear. I've told everyone that will listen that their son should be wearing one too. In addition to not having a neck injury, Thomas has no broken bones, bruising or belt burns on his upper body because the HANS dissipated the energy of the initial impact. The G-Force helmet and the HANS saved Thomas's life, if you do not have a quality helmet and a real head and neck restraint device this is your wake up call.
Thomas is currently in ICU at USA's Children and Women's Hospital, he is listed in guarded condition, he is responsive to commands and will communicate when woken up, he is still listed as being in a comma because he has not come around on his own. He is schedule for another CT scan on Sunday morning to confirm that everything is as it was on Friday night.
In closing we want to thank everyone that helped Thomas this weekend, from the guys at Newmans, the people at the track, South Flight, the doctors and nurses at USA, and the hundreds of people that have called or come by to check on Thomas. Thomas is truly a lucky person in many ways.
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Rainband
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DaylilyDawn
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Mel Blanc, the voice of so many great Warner Brother characters had a car wreck and was in a comma. After weeks of trying to revive him, someone started talking to the characters Bugs, Yosemite Sam, Elmer, in Mels' head. Mel spoke first as the different characters, then finally awoke as himself. This morning we were having a tough time finding something to peak Thomas's interest. After several different attempts he was asked what was his car number, he responded with 28, he was then asked who is his sponsor, and he said The Outdoor Channel. He was then asked at least 50 different questions evolving around drivers names, numbers and sponsors from the local level to Winston Cup. He answered all of them correctly even getting Kerry Earnhardt's ARCA sponsor from 2 years ago, the Intimidators, correct. Thomas answered questions for almost 30 minutes before he was finally worn out. Later in the day physical therapist had Thomas sitting upright in a chair for 30-40 minutes.
All of Thomas's test have come back positive and the doctors have given the green for light for a full recovery, its just going to take time. There was a lot of positive news today but Thomas officially still remains in a coma since he will only respond to questions and stimulus.
If you'd like to send flowers or wishes, Thomas is in room 418 at USA Children and Women's Hospital.
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This is the latest update.
All of Thomas's test have come back positive and the doctors have given the green for light for a full recovery, its just going to take time. There was a lot of positive news today but Thomas officially still remains in a coma since he will only respond to questions and stimulus.
If you'd like to send flowers or wishes, Thomas is in room 418 at USA Children and Women's Hospital.
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This is the latest update.
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Rainband
Thomas made another big leg up in his recovery today. Working with his physical therapist he walked up and down the 4th floor hall ways, stopping at the school room on the 4th floor. Thomas accessed the internet and he typed in the names of the Sunny South Raceway, Rick Crawford and NASCAR web sites. He was moved to real food, OK kind of like real food, and he fed himself. He spoke with several people on the phone today before we finally wore him out. If he keeps going, it would appear his hospital time will be more like days not weeks.
Thanks again for everyone's support.
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I appreciate everyone's prayer!! Keep it up, it is working. Thomas is a very strong willed kid and it is showing in his recovery.
Thanks again for everyone's support.
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I appreciate everyone's prayer!! Keep it up, it is working. Thomas is a very strong willed kid and it is showing in his recovery.
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