Peter ‘Possum' Bourne overleden ...

[Werner333]

Kiwi rally legend's life hangs in the balance as life support is reduced

"Possum" Bourne's family is keeping a 24-hour vigil at the hospital in Dunedin where he is in intensive care as the level of assistance from the machines that are supporting his breathing and other functions is gradually reduced.

His family has said that his brain injury is severe and that "continuing full life support would not be in Possum's best interest."

Murray Brown, general manager of Possum Bourne Motor Sport has said that the life support is being gradually decreased but that his chances of survival are" virtually nil". He added "How long Possum is able to hold on is something that no one knows. It's anyone's guess,"

The 47-year-old Kiwi suffered terrible head, chest and leg injuries on April 18 when he was involved in a head-on collision with another competitor as they recced the route for the Race for the Sky hillclimb outside Queenstown in their road cars. Possum was transferred to hospital in Dunedin, where he has remained in an induced coma in intensive care ever since.

Peter "Possum" Bourne is the most popular rally driver in his native New Zealand after winning numerous national titles both there and in Australia. Synonymous the reigning Australian champion is with Subaru as his career has been spent almost at the wheel of these Japanese cars. Winning the Asia-Pacific Rally crown three times remains a career highlight.
Bron: http://www.autosport.com

Weeral slecht nieuws. Was toch steeds een spektakel man in de rally's down under.

[jos]

ja wat jammer ik hoop dat hij er nog door komt

[Sennake]

Hoop doet leven...

[Guido]

edit by Huudo on 29-04-2003 16:48

Waar ik hier eerder melding maakte van het feit als zou Possum bezweken zijn, blijkt er nog al wat verwarrende berichtgeving de ronde te doen op het internet. Dit is het laatste wat ik gelezen heb:

"Contrary to sad reports in Australian press is that Possum has not passed away shortly after his life support was switched. Instead he remains to struggle with family by his side. This was the status at 1200 hours NZ Time +1200 GMT. "

Voor wat het waard is natuurlijk. Mij lijkt het dat zijn rijik gevulde rally carriere sowieso wel voorbij zal zijn...

[jos]

ik heb ook gehoord dat hij overleden is
mijn enige deelneeming aan de famillie en vrienden

[Werner333]

Peter ‘Possum' Bourne - multiple Asia-Pacific, Australian and New Zealand Rally Champion - has died, aged 47. In a statement his family said: "It is with deep sadness that we announce Possum Bourne passed away peacefully at 12.58am on Wednesday, April 30, at Dunedin Hospital."

Bourne's family took the decision to switch off the life support that had kept him in an induced coma since he was badly injured in an accident at the Race to the Sky hillclimb in New Zealand two weeks ago. Tests had shown that it was not in Bourne's interests to maintain life support any longer.

In a career that spanned more than 20 years ‘Possum' (christened Peter but nicknamed after he crashed his mother's car avoiding a possum) developed a huge following, nurtured by prodigious pace and a refreshing, down-to-earth personality. His demeanour was so cheerful and full of energy and enthusiasm that conversation could leave you drained.

He was fast enough to be successful, too, racking up seven Australian titles and winning the Asia-Pacific crown three times. When the WRC went down under, ‘Possum' was a thorn in the side of works crews - at his home event he had six top-six finishes to his name.

A family man with two sons and a daughter, Bourne had waited a long time for his chance on the world stage, and was determined to grab it this season.

His family and friends have lost a truly special person; the world of rallying will sorely miss one of its friendliest faces.
Bron: http://www.autosport.com

[Sennake]

Alhoewel zijn naasten het hier wellicht nooit zullen lezen, wens ik toch mijn innige deelnemeing te betuigen.