Official reports from within the team are that Jamaicans Jeffrey Panton and Mike Fennel Jr are okay following a massive accident this morning when competing in SOL Rally Barbados 2019.
The accident occurred on the very first stage this morning; their Focus WRC left the road at high speed, impacting the embankment and hitting a tree before coming to a halt several meters after. Fennel was able to get out of the car but Panton was trapped by the deformed compartment. The excellent Rally Barbados response crew used the Jaws of Life to cut open the Focus before Panton was extracted and placed on a spinal-board as a routine precautionary measure.
After initially being checked by the Ambulance crew and found to have “soft tissue damage and a minor cut to the head”, Panton was transported to hospital for additional checks. Fennel has indicated Panton’s “soft tissue damage, some cuts from glass” and “basically back pain” as being Panton’s only injuries, while Fennel also has a few cuts as well. Panton has asked for clothes so that he can leave after being discharged.
JMMC wish Jeffrey and Mike a full and speedy recovery.
Photo courtesy of RED265 Motorsport.
