This morning, Dicky and Pat Dawes had a very serious crash in their lovely shiny 2CV based three wheeler. It was on the A31 near Bere Regis. The other vehicle involved was a small motorhome. Earlier concerns have turned out to be wide of the mark and I am pleased to say that Pat is now back at home and Dicky, who was airlifted to hospital, is being treated from some head injuries and has a couple of broken bones. Both are expected to make a good recovery. The three wheeler is now a two wheeler and will need a fair bit of work.
Dicky is a sheet metal whiz and has been around cars all his life. I met him about 14 years ago when I did my first 24hr at Mondello Park. He was helping run a car for Jem Marsh of Marcos fame. The other drivers were Terry Sanger and John Coyle. John and I are still racing. Terry is still fiddling with engines over in Wales and Jem is in his 80's and living near Bristol.
After the race, I bought the car and the rest is very modest history. The other mechanic then, Andy Doel, is still with the team today. Dicky has helped the team ever since and was planning to come to a test session prior to the 24hr.
An update:
I've heard from Pat today.
She says is recovering from heavy cuts and bruises, but is essentially OK.
The news about Dicky is not so good. He's got heavy damage to his right shoulder, arm and hand. Of greater concern is that his head took a big knock and things are not looking good there.
Pat asks everyone who knows him to beam positive thoughts in his direction, which is a hospital in Southampton.
Martin
Come on Dicky, Ive got some wings to straighten. Do you reckon if I washed them I could get them into the hospital?
Get well soon mate
Mick, paint them gold and disguise them as a box of chocolates.
Lates news from Pat is that Dicky is being slowly woken from his coma. There are still many uncertainties.
Only just came across this thread.. sorry to hear of this happening to two such lovely people... I hope they are both fit and well very soon.
Get well soon Dicky - I need some more advice. Martin Sadler
On Saturday, Andy, with Pat, visited Dicky.
Andy reports that Dicky was physically in excellent shape. Fully healed and with hardly a mark on him. He's actively mobile, functioning well and very alert.
He's talking almost normally. His memory is not always what it was. Long term is good, short term not so good. Sometimes it's as if some circuits are not correctly connected. But he's bright, cheerful and was pleased to hear how 'his' team got on in the 24hr.
Still a long way to go, but he's coming along much better than anyone expected.
The tricar is being returned to him and he's hoping to re-build it sometime.
Martin,
Thats really good news!!
Trevor
excellent news,hope all keeps going in the right direction Dicky
I can assure you both that a great deal of people have been following both of you's progress from several sources
I have been getting info from 3 different people.
nice to hear you are both doing well.
regards Gadget
Thanks for the update. It must be really difficult, but its going in the right direction, good news