Damon Cohen’s boat capsized violently. Stock photo. F1 H2O UIM World Championship
The final race weekend of the F1 boat season saw a terrible accident in which Damon Cohen was seriously injured.
The accident happened during qualifying for the Sharjah race weekend last weekend. Cohen’s boat capsized violently and was destroyed in the spin. After the buoyancy, the boat remained floating upside down.
Rescuers arrived quickly and pulled Cohen out of the water. The Australian was delivered to the hospital’s intensive care unit.
Cohen’s family says the driver suffered serious injuries in the accident. He had to undergo an operation in the hospital to remove water from his lungs. Most disturbingly, Cohen’s family describes the man as having multiple fractures in his spine. One of the vertebrae is completely fragmented, and parts of it are feared to be drifting into Cohen’s spinal cord.
Cohen will undergo surgery before Christmas, with which it is hoped that the man’s ability to function will be preserved.
The story continues after the dips.
Cohen’s family and the Australian National Powerboat Association have organized a fundraising campaign to support Cohen and his family.
Two Finns were seen in F1 boats this season. Winner of one race Alec Weckstrom was Fifth in the series and a two-time world champion Sami Seliö 14:s.
Cohen’s series ranking was 17th in the end.