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- NHRA’s John Force shows improvement after traumatic brain injury (newsbreak.com)
RICHMOND, Va. — Legendary NHRA drag racer John Force is currently recovering from a severe brain injury caused by a spectacular crash at speeds of 300 mph just last week. His team reports he’s making positive progress daily in a specialized neurological intensive care unit.
Following the accident, the 75-year-old Force was initially unresponsive to simple commands such as opening his eyes or squeezing hands, and he was unable to move. However, after being sedated heavily for five days, signs of recovery began to emerge. Force started responding to requests like giving a thumbs-up and began recognizing and verbally expressing love to his family members.
By Wednesday, Force was moved to a neurological ICU from a trauma-focused one, indicating a shift towards a more focused recovery phase. Yet, his team is preparing for a challenging recovery journey ahead, citing managing his significant confusion and agitation as a major hurdle.
The crash occurred during the first round of Funny Car eliminations on June 23, when Force’s car experienced a devastating engine failure, causing it to veer across the track and smash into both left and right concrete walls. Despite the severity of the crash, Force was conscious and communicating with safety officials on the scene before being airlifted to a hospital.
Force has faced serious injuries from racing before, including a major accident in 2007 in Texas. Despite these challenges, he’s continued to compete at the top of his sport, celebrating his 157th NHRA victory just four weeks ago in New Hampshire.
John Force’s family, including his daughter Brittany Force, a two-time world champion, is by his side. Brittany has decided to skip this weekend’s race in Norwalk, Ohio, to stay with her family at the hospital.
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- NHRA’s John Force shows improvement after traumatic brain injury (newsbreak.com)