Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber was seriously injured after being hit by a car while competing in a multi-sport charity event in Tasmania, police said today. Webber, 32, who drives for the Red Bull team, was cycling near Port Arthur in southern Tasmania when he collided with a vehicle, Tasmania Police Sergeant Jon Ford told Australian Associated Press, but his injuries are not life-threatening. Webber was competing in his own charity event, the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250-kilometer challenge using mountain bikes, kayaks and trekking, when the accident happened around 12.40pm local time today, Ford said. "As a result of the collision, the rider, Mark Webber, suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries," Ford said. "He was attended at the scene by paramedics attached to the event before being airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital." Event director Geoff Donohue said Webber may have suffered a fractured leg, but he had not been fully diagnosed by medical personnel. "It would appear he's suffered a fractured leg but until doctors confirm the extent of Mark's injuries, we won't know for sure ? it's still early days," Donohue told AAP. Donohue said it was too early to say whether the mishap would impact on Webber's preseason training for the 2009 Formula One season. "That's jumping ahead a bit. He would certainly have other ideas about that. Right now, it's a wait-and-see situation," Donohue said. Webber was competing on the penultimate day of the five-day challenge, which also includes abseiling and whitewater rafting. Webber has had two podium finishes in 121 F1 starts since his debut in the 2002 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The male driver of the car escaped injury, police said. * AFP
Webber seriously injured at charity event
The Australian Formula One driver was seriously injured after being hit by a car while competing in a multi-sport charity event.
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