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NW 200: Violet McAfee's partner pays tribute to medical team | NW 200: Violet McAfee's partner pays tribute to medical team |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The partner of a woman seriously injured while watching the North West 200 motorbike races has paid tribute to quick-thinking doctors at the scene. | The partner of a woman seriously injured while watching the North West 200 motorbike races has paid tribute to quick-thinking doctors at the scene. |
Violet McAfee, 44, was in the garden of a friend's house when three bikes crashed during Saturday's opening race. | Violet McAfee, 44, was in the garden of a friend's house when three bikes crashed during Saturday's opening race. |
She suffered serious head and leg injuries. She was taken to hospital by helicopter. Her condition is stable. | She suffered serious head and leg injuries. She was taken to hospital by helicopter. Her condition is stable. |
Two riders were also taken to hospital. One, Stephen Thompson, is also now in a stable condition. | Two riders were also taken to hospital. One, Stephen Thompson, is also now in a stable condition. |
Horst Saiger returned home to Liechtenstein on Monday after being treated in Coleraine's Causeway hospital for a broken arm. | Horst Saiger returned home to Liechtenstein on Monday after being treated in Coleraine's Causeway hospital for a broken arm. |
Dean Harrison was unhurt. | Dean Harrison was unhurt. |
Ms McAfee - who is a mother of one - and Mr Thompson are both being treated at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital. | Ms McAfee - who is a mother of one - and Mr Thompson are both being treated at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital. |
Violet's partner said he did not want to comment on the actual crash. | Violet's partner said he did not want to comment on the actual crash. |
"It is just one of those freak accidents that happens. I cannot say much more about it," he said. | "It is just one of those freak accidents that happens. I cannot say much more about it," he said. |
He told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster programme that both he and Violet enjoyed going up to see the race when they were off work. | He told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster programme that both he and Violet enjoyed going up to see the race when they were off work. |
The crash happened at a friend's house, he said. | The crash happened at a friend's house, he said. |
"There was a spectator who was an orthopaedic surgeon and he was very quickly on the scene," he said. | |
"Then, obviously Dr Fred McSorley treated her, to be honest she may not have been here - his quick thinking maybe saved things." | "Then, obviously Dr Fred McSorley treated her, to be honest she may not have been here - his quick thinking maybe saved things." |
Speaking about Ms McAfee, he said: "She is stable at the minute obviously. But the next week or so will be the big milestone for her." | Speaking about Ms McAfee, he said: "She is stable at the minute obviously. But the next week or so will be the big milestone for her." |
He said one of the riders involved in the crash had talked to him. | He said one of the riders involved in the crash had talked to him. |
"Horst Saiger spoke to me and said he wishes her a speedy recovery as well," he said. | "Horst Saiger spoke to me and said he wishes her a speedy recovery as well," he said. |
"It could have been a lot worse. There were quite a few people about. The marshals also said if my friend's car hadn't been in the way, it could have pulled it on up a few more gardens. The walls are very low." | "It could have been a lot worse. There were quite a few people about. The marshals also said if my friend's car hadn't been in the way, it could have pulled it on up a few more gardens. The walls are very low." |
Violet McAfee is believed to be the first spectator to have been injured in a crash at the North West 200. | Violet McAfee is believed to be the first spectator to have been injured in a crash at the North West 200. |
Safety concerns have now been raised about racing through residential areas. | Safety concerns have now been raised about racing through residential areas. |
A full investigation into the crash is now under way. | A full investigation into the crash is now under way. |
North West 200 event director Mervyn Whyte said he had visited the families of both Ms McAfee and Mr Thompson. | North West 200 event director Mervyn Whyte said he had visited the families of both Ms McAfee and Mr Thompson. |
In a statement, he said: "The organisers of the North West 200 will offer our full support to Violet and Stephen and their families and I want to assure them that they are in our thoughts and prayers throughout this time." | In a statement, he said: "The organisers of the North West 200 will offer our full support to Violet and Stephen and their families and I want to assure them that they are in our thoughts and prayers throughout this time." |
He added: "I would like to thank the members of the medical team who were involved in treating those who were injured on Saturday. | He added: "I would like to thank the members of the medical team who were involved in treating those who were injured on Saturday. |
"The care and expertise they provide is the very best in the world and we are very grateful that we have this available to us at the North West 200." | "The care and expertise they provide is the very best in the world and we are very grateful that we have this available to us at the North West 200." |
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