GUMBALL-Viper = CRASH

12. Mai 2004

Sounds like he totaled the SRT!!

Story here:

Hello everyone, Just wanted to let you know we've been out of touch with the internet considering our intense 3000 mile adventure with very little sleep and no time to obtain internet access, not to mention our strong concern for Torquenstein's well being after his unbelievable viper crash! The Viper was driving down an old two lane Moroccan highway. Tork was going about 140mph until he came upon two rather large and unsuspecting dips in the road. They were not visible until the first impact which caused the rear end of the Viper to shoot off the ground and bottom out.... the second dip caused the Viper to go airborne and upon landing it catapulted into the ditch. The viper spun over a small ravine climbing uphill, which forced it into a multiple cartwheel motion, it landed upright with only the cabin remaining and a portion of front end still existing. Fortunately the IMV film crew was following the Viper and was able to rush to the scene within seconds of the crash. Upon arrival they found Tork and Dr. Allison unconscious. Dr. Allison came to but it took Tork a few minutes. They held his head as it was bleeding. One of the Gumballers drove to the next town, which was only miles away to notify the police of the need for an ambulance. It arrived within a half hour and took Tork to a shady Moroccan hospital with very unsanitary conditions and poorly qualified physicians who could not speak English. One of the IMV film crewmembers, Sav...translated for us as he could speak fluent French... we found this to be extremely helpful. Nurse Wittenburg also did a physical examination of Tork's sensory functions to make sure his extremities were in functioning order. The Governor of the province we were in also came to meet us and said he would take care of any needs we should have...room and board as well as pay for all of Tork's medical care needs while in Morocco. We were surprised and very thankful for their concern and generosity.

Tork is doing well considering the incredible crash he has survived along with Dr. Allison who walked away with a sore bum but is otherwise fine. Tork had a minor concussion, four gashes on the back and sides of his head needing 18 stitches to close them up. He also fractured his upper humerus close to his shoulder. As a result his right arm has been wrapped tightly into a sling around his chest. Last night Nurse Wittenburg came over to help me wash his wounds and cleanse his scalp. After taking off his bandages we found that the Moroccan hospital had shaved his hair completely off on one side where the wounds were located. Today I shaved the rest of his head and he is looking very cool!

Last night at the Gumball awards ceremony Torquenstein was honored with the "Stay Safe Award" and given an official Gumball Helmet as I held up the rear bumper of his viper for the crowd to cheer. Ironically it was sliced out to reveal the license plate, which said "GUMBALL" and displayed following logo above it: 'Vehicular Lunacy at its Finest' The Tork Team felt this award was very fitting considering that he and Dr. Allison had a 5 point racing harness on and there was a roll bar which had been installed prior to the Gumball Rally...we know that their lives were spared because of this.

Torquenstein was also interviewed for a few hours at the ceremony by many of the press not to mention movie producers. Vanity Fair plans to incorporate a related story on the Viper crash. We want to give a special thanks to everyone for their support and especially to the other Gumballers who displayed a very heartfelt and genuine concern for Tork's well being. Also a very special thanks to the IMV film crew who were at the scene with Tork and Dr. Allison...Jimmy, Sav, Davian and Rasa...you guys are so awesome and we appreciate all of the help you were able to do not only because of the accident but also all of the incredible footage you took while we were on our trip...we all enjoyed having you as part of our team! Everyone is clearly thankful that Tork was safe and able to attend the final Gumball party. That's all for now but there's so much more so stay tuned!!