Henry Surtees killed in Brands Hatch F2 crash
Henry Surtees killed in Brands Hatch F2 crash
Monday 20th July 2009

Henry Surtees Dies In F2 Accident

Son of 1964 F1 champ dies at Brands Hatch



PistonHeads is sad to note the death of Henry Surtees following an accident in a Brands Hatch F2 race on Sunday.

The 18-year-old son of 1964 F1 champion John Surtees was struck on the head by a wheel that had flown off a spinning car. Surtees was airlifted to the Royal London hospital, where he died.

Henry's father, John, said: "Despite his young age he had shown maturity, technical understanding and speed. Most importantly he was a nice person and a loving son. He will be deeply missed."

Author
Discussion

dxb335d

Original Poster:

2,905 posts

224 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Support race for WTCC.

Errand wheel from another accident bouncing accross track and Poor Henry helmet took a big impact as he drove along.

He then unconscious drove flat out into the next corner. Not a big impact with the barrier, but a big impact with the wheel.

Hope hs is ok.

Open cockpit cars will always have this danger. scary stuff.

Reminded me a little of Tom Pryce's accident at Kyalami in 1977.

vandercliewjs

48 posts

212 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Hope he's ok too. Just caught the tali end on Eurosport but didn't see the accident.

How big was the impact with his helmet?

I remember Henry from my karting days so wish him the best.

RJB_666

1,677 posts

224 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
I'm still a bit worried about that. Don't know which way the suspension was at point of impact. Holding out for news on this, just hope he's ok.

RJB_666

1,677 posts

224 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
vandercliewjs said:
Hope he's ok too. Just caught the tali end on Eurosport but didn't see the accident.

How big was the impact with his helmet?

I remember Henry from my karting days so wish him the best.
It was hard to tell, but it bounced directly in front of him and lifted his visor so hopefully it was a clip.

I'm baffled slightly as to why open wheel cars aren't fitted with wheel tethers, it's now the case with F1.

vandercliewjs

48 posts

212 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Yeah is mad that all single seaters are not fitted with tethers these days...

Have nearly seen a few horendous accidents in my time... Remeber one in particular at Lydden Hill where the wheel came off just before Paddock and the wheel rolled down the track at about 80mph, hit the bank, flew up in the air and landed straight in the spectator area. Luckily it didn't hit anyone. Have also seen similar incidents at Brands and always thought how lucky it was that no one got hit...

Sincerely hope Henry's ok. Would have been a hell of an impact. Just pray that it skimmed his helmet.

vandercliewjs

48 posts

212 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Just seen on Eurosport that they're medivaccing Henry now

Northern Munkee

5,354 posts

229 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Doesn't look good, they've thrown a safety car so he can be medivac'd to hospital.

Are you sure the wheels aren't tethered? If an impact is big enough the tethers will break.

RJB_666

1,677 posts

224 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Northern Munkee said:
Doesn't look good, they've thrown a safety car so he can be medivac'd to hospital.

Are you sure the wheels aren't tethered? If an impact is big enough the tethers will break.
I'm not 100% but i couldn't see any chain. Also Henry's wheel came off when he hit the wall. So if they have they don't seem strong enough.

Robinho

8 posts

216 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
the incident is on Youtube (for now) - not heard any more news on Eurosport during the WTCC race. from what i saw the wheel was bouncing across the circuit fairly slowly and more or less skimmed off the top of Henry's head, but he was travelling at a fair lick at the time and seemed to be out of it as the car went off - the car just speared straight on. doesn't look good, but i hope that no news is good news and that he will be ok.

fingers crossed for him, such bad luck, especially after a podium in the first race


Robinho

8 posts

216 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
regarding the safety car for the helicopter, as far as i remeber they always do that if the helicopter is required, but it is worrying that they had to move him straight away and didn't wait for a gap in the on track action - hopefully just a belt and braces approach to a head injury and they are making sure they don't take any chances

dxb335d

Original Poster:

2,905 posts

224 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
I too remember him and his father from karting, although im a few years older than him. They were always polite and friendly.

the wheel was not travelling that fast, just bouncing i estimate 10-15mph, Henry hit it hard, the impact was massive id say. The wheel then took off and cleared the barrier.

He has been Airlifted to hospital.

Fingers crossed.

AMD87

2,004 posts

231 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Robinho said:
the incident is on Youtube (for now) - not heard any more news on Eurosport during the WTCC race. from what i saw the wheel was bouncing across the circuit fairly slowly and more or less skimmed off the top of Henry's head, but he was travelling at a fair lick at the time and seemed to be out of it as the car went off - the car just speared straight on. doesn't look good, but i hope that no news is good news and that he will be ok.

fingers crossed for him, such bad luck, especially after a podium in the first race
looking at the video it seems the car was still floored when it was in the gravel,hopefully he's ok frown

dxb335d

Original Poster:

2,905 posts

224 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
AMD87 said:
Robinho said:
the incident is on Youtube (for now) - not heard any more news on Eurosport during the WTCC race. from what i saw the wheel was bouncing across the circuit fairly slowly and more or less skimmed off the top of Henry's head, but he was travelling at a fair lick at the time and seemed to be out of it as the car went off - the car just speared straight on. doesn't look good, but i hope that no news is good news and that he will be ok.

fingers crossed for him, such bad luck, especially after a podium in the first race
looking at the video it seems the car was still floored when it was in the gravel,hopefully he's ok frown
Yes it was, he was out cold.. Foot planted on the throttle.

sniff diesel

13,125 posts

241 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Who let them put up that massive "Marriot" advertising board blocking the view on the straight.

stifler

37,069 posts

217 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Not good. It gave the wheel a hell of a flick up.

Hope he's ok. Never good to see an accident like that.

hornet

6,333 posts

279 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Do they use HANS in F2?

OzCupra

152 posts

207 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
That's Nasty! Hope he's ok and makes a full recovery! Quite Sickening to watch!

Phoenix

826 posts

313 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
HANS are mandatory in FIA series.

RichB

56,259 posts

313 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
stifler said:
Not good. It gave the wheel a hell of a flick up.

Hope he's ok.
Wasn't that him hoping out of the car and jogging off down the outside of the track? confused Just looked again and realised it was the driver of the other car... frown

Edited by RichB on Sunday 19th July 17:19

stifler

37,069 posts

217 months

Sunday 19th July 2009
quotequote all
Autosport article.

JP's speech doesn't sound good.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77073