Injured Dakar Rally team members recovering well (From Ledbury Reporter)

Injured Dakar Rally team members recovering well

3:40pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Neil Watts

THREE members of the Race2Recovery Dakar Rally team who were injured in a crash are recovering well.

Justin Birchall, John Winskill and Lee Townsend suffered injuries when their Land Rover Defender team support vehicle crashed on Wednesday, killing two Peruvian civilians and left several other injured.

They were taken to a local hospital near the scene in Tacna, Peru, before being flown to a hospital in Lima, Peru for further tests and treatment.

In a joint statement the team members said: "The three injured team members of Race2Recovery, John Winskill, Justin Birchall and Lee Townsend, would like to extend their heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the two people who lost their lives in the tragic incident that took place near Tacna in Peru on January 9.

"They would also like to wish a full and speedy recovery to those others who were hurt alongside themselves.

“Their thanks and gratitude go out to the hospital staff and authorities from both Tacna and Lima for their help and for treating them with such kindness and respect which has been so typical of the Peruvian people throughout their stay.

"They greatly appreciate the members of the ASO, the organisers of the Dakar Rally, who assisted them both personally and behind the scenes throughout the rally and after they sustained their injuries.

"The injured Race2Recovery members are very sad to be leaving the Dakar rally under such unfortunate circumstances and wish their fellow team members the very best in their continuing endeavours".

Corporal Tom Neathway, of Crowle, near Worcester, was forced to retire during during stage four on Tuesday when his Wildcat car, driven by Mr Birchall, was damaged.