[Marco_Wrc]

source: rallycarmodelgroup @ yahoo

Tonight the following news has been released regarding Possum Bourne:

Critically injured New Zealand rally driver Possum Bourne was
tonight taken off full life support at the intensive care unit at
Dunedin Hospital.

A statement issued by Bourne's family said New Zealand's top rally
driver had suffered a severe brain injury in a car crash on April 18
and had been actively managed since then.

"The extent and severity of the injury was not fully apparent until
this weekend just gone, when ventilation support was decreased but
he deteriorated and had to go back onto full support," the statement
said.

Evaluation today which included a brain scan confirmed the severity
of the original injury and "continuing full support is no longer in
Possum's best interests."

Bourne, 47, suffered serious head and leg injuries in an accident
during preparations for the Race to the Sky hillclimb near Cardrona,
Central Otago, on Good Friday.

The car he was driving collided with a car driven by fellow rally
driver Mike Baltrop.

Bourne who was taken to Dunedin Hospital and operated on, has been
in a drug induced coma since then.

Bourne is New Zealand's only professional rally driver and in 20
years of racing has three times claimed the Asia-Pacific title.

He is the reigning Australian Rally champion, having won the title a
record seven times.