Bolt escapes virtually unhurt from major car crash in Jamaica
30.04.2009 World
Triple Olympic gold medallist, Usain Bolt is doubtful for Saturday’s sixth Jamaica International Invitational in Kingston.
He escaped major injury and possibly death in the car accident in Jamaica Wednesday afternoon (29).
The 2008 Male World Athlete of the Year, wrote off his six-speed 2009 BMW M3 Coupe on the Vineyard Toll section of Highway 2000 in St Catherine.
Bolt told this reporter that he was in “good” health after the accident.
“Me good man. Me all right, a just few cuts man, me all right,” the lanky sprinter said.
Reports are that the two female passengers, who were traveling with Bolt, also escaped major injury.
The World 100m and 200m record holder only sustained minor injuries to the ball of his feet caused by thorns when leaving the car.
Bolt was released from the Spanish Town Hospital, after some three hours of examinations by doctors. Both of the 22-year-old sprinter’s feet were strapped with bandages.
The car, which was given to Bolt as a present for his 22nd birthday by his sportswear manufacturing company, has a street value of J$15.3 million.
His handlers are understandably non-committal as to whether he will compete in the Area Permit Meet this weekend.
Quizzed how long Bolt will be out of action, if at all, his manager Norman Peart replied.
“We can’t say right now. We’ll do further checks, which we have organised already, so we’ll have to wait on those.” Peart said.
“As it is right now he’s going home because initial examinations (by doctors) indicate that he’s Ok, but we’ll do further checks,” he added.
Asked directly, if he would be competing at this Saturday’s meet when leaving the Spanish Town Hospital yesterday, Bolt replied: “Me don’t know, you have to talk to my coach about that.”
When contacted yesterday evening coach Mills said it was “too early” to say whether the lanky sprinter will be allowed to compete on Saturday. He said he had spoken with Bolt, who said he was “OK”, but had not seen him in person.
“The public will know whether he will compete prior to the meet,” Mills assured.
Bolt had been traveling into Kingston from the direction of May Pen with two female friends shortly after 1:00pm, when the accident occurred approximately 500 metres from the toll plaza. The road was slippery from afternoon showers.
According to investigating officer Seargant David Sheriff of the Old Harbour Police, the accident was caused due to a wet road surface.
“It was raining and it (the car) seemed to have skidded off the road,” Sergeant Sheriff said. “We have no indicated to say that (he was speeding),” the police Sergeant added.
Both front tyres of the car were punctured and the left-front wheel was almost torn off. The front windscreen was shattered while the back windscreen was totally dislodged. There were tyre marks for about 50 metres before the car came off the road, said a member of the wrecker crew who asked not be named because he was not authorised to speak.
The 22-year-old sprinter, who shot to world prominence at last summer’s Beijing Olympics after winning the 100m and 200m in world record times of 9.69 and 19.30 seconds, did not explain what caused the accident. The Glen Mills-coached athlete also shared in the 4x100m relay World record run of 37.10secs.
Kayon Raynor for the IAAF
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