Super GT driver airlifted to hospital after horror high-speed crash as car smashes into barrier and flies into air
A SUPER GT driver was airlifted to hospital after a horror high-speed crash saw his car smash into a barrier and fly into the air.
Nissan racer Tsugio Matsuda and Lamborghini’s Kosuke Matsuura collided on lap 59 of 77.
Matsuda’s Nissan was sent hurtling into the right-side barriers at the exit of the corner and his car launched metres into the air in a terrifying collision.
The Japanese racer needed to be extracted from the cockpit and remained conscious as he was taken by helicopter to hospital.
Nissan Motorsports International later confirmed that Matsuda miraculously escaped any serious injury.
A statement read: “Matsuda was examined at the hospital and no major injuries were found.
“We are relieved to hear this, but we are planning to follow up and re-examine. We apologize for any concern this may have caused our fans.”
Matsuura meanwhile was able to exit his battered Lamborghini unaided and was also reported to have come out unscathed.
The high-speed crash stunned fans as they sent out well wishes to the drivers.
One wrote: “What on earth I just saw seeing Formula 1 cars going side by side at Suzuka 130R is scary, let alone GT series, I hope the drivers are ok.”
Another said: “Matsuda suffered no major injuries after his crash at Suzuka. I wish Matsuda a speedy recovery.”
Another posted: “Words cannot describe how happy I am for modern security. Tsugio Matsuda survived this. Definitely one of the worst I’ve seen.”
One put: “I feel relieved.”