Fulda Challenge: UK Team in Car Accident

Following a successful second day the UK team, Emmie Gribble and Richard Jackson, were involved in a car accident on the Alaska Highway. Travelling back to their base in Whitehorse from the Kanu-Downhill Carcross Desert, their Toyota RAV4 was involved in a collision with another vehicle. After being taken to hospital Richard Jackson was released after a check up. Emmie Gribble however was less fortunate. She remains in hospital with a broken arm and rib, and a lacerated lung. Doctors say she is doing fine.

As a result Richard Jackson was advised sit-out the fourth day’s initial event, a tough biathlon race at Grey Mountain in Whitehorse. Sad to have missed out on the race, 33-year-old Richard Jackson said: “I was unable to compete in this event because of back pain. However, if myself, and of course Emmie, were competing I think we would have been in contention for some high points. We are both well practiced at running in cross-country skis – the technique used by most of the athletes today.”

After getting the all clear from the medics, the British competitor was able to rejoin the competition in time for the hovercraft race. He went on to secure the UK’s first victory of the 2005 Fulda Challenge. Reaching speeds of up to 90km/h, Richard brought the machine home safely in a time of 56 seconds. He collected maximum points and was followed in second place by Pieter Groen of The Netherlands.

Marcus White, Fulda UK Brand Manager commented on the events of the Fulda Challenge to date: “It’s so frustrating for the UK team to go out of the Fulda Challenge like this. Having spoken to Emmie and the doctors, we know that she is well on the way to making a full recovery. Richard is determined to compete in the rest of the event and we will support him all the way.”