Windows 7: Seavixen32, is your grandson OK?

A Guy · 14 May 2012

Andrew, just saw the story about an explosion in Williams F1 garage. Hoping your grandson is OK?

Explosion happens in Williams team garage shortly after Pastor Maldonado wins F1 race

A Guy

seavixen32 · 14 May 2012

Many thanks for your concern Bill.

Yes, he's fine. The main worry was smoke inhalation and seven team members are still in hospital.

It rather takes the gloss off Maldonado's win, which was the first for Williams since 2004.

I'd missed your post until Julian reminded me.

IownAmoneyPit · 14 May 2012

seavixen32 so glad to hear your grandson is OK and Kudos to all members of other teams/garages who risked their own health and safety to use every available fire extinguisher to help put the fire out and prevent further casualties.

seavixen32 · 14 May 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by IownAmoneyPit

seavixen32 so glad to hear your grandson is OK and Kudos to all members of other teams/garages who risked their own health and safety to use every available fire extinguisher to help put the fire out and prevent further casualties.

It was gratifying to see that. As with every dangerous occupation, everyone will always pitch in and help when the need arises, and looking at how bad the fire was it's amazing there weren't any fatalities.

It appears that a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) unit in the re-fuelling area caused the fire. Whether it was static electricity or a spark has yet to be established.

http://formula1.about.com/od/car1/a/kers.htm

Joan Archer · 14 May 2012

Glad to hear your grandson is OK Andrew, it was very lucky no one was more seriously hurt plus they managed to get Frank out before it happened, being in a wheelchair would have made things more difficult for him.

seavixen32 · 14 May 2012

Thanks Joan.

There's a picture in today's paper of Frank Williams being pushed away from the fire. Apparently, he took his family to Spain as part of his 70th birthday celebrations.

Matt was telling me that his boss tours the workshop in his wheelchair every day to check on progress and make sure all his staff are happy. He remarked that although Frank is in a lot of pain and is not a well man he is nevertheless a real nice person.

Not a bad legacy is that, I'd say.

Baroness von Shush · 14 May 2012

Glad your grandson is ok and I hope the others make a full recovery. Frank sounds like a lovely man, taking time out to check on his team.

linnemeyerhere · 14 May 2012

Glad there weren't any major injuries and it was a fantastic drive and celebrated win for the Williams team and Pastor!

Anak · 14 May 2012

My DW, and I are big F1 fans, it is a challenge to watch the races live from China at 3:30am EDT.
We picked up on the news from Speed channel shortly after the race, but had no idea that it involved someone we knew even casually by proxy.

seavixen, we are both happy to hear your grandson is okay, and wish him, and the Team a speedy recovery.

A Guy, wondered why your video wasn't working, so I check on other news reports, and bumped into this copyright claim:

Seavixen32, is your grandson OK?-williams-f1-fire.jpg

Source: Williams F1 Fire: Photos and video from dramatic post race inferno | Total F1.com

seavixen32 · 14 May 2012

Thanks for the kind words everyone, I do appreciate it as I'm sure the Williams team would too.

Thankfully, F1 racing is a lot safer now than in the days of the 1960s and 1970s, but incidents like this show there is no room for complacency.

Windows 7: Seavixen32, is your grandson OK?

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