Some of you folks might know Dick Buckingham, he and his wife Judy are the
guiding lights of Sovern, the main vintage racing organization for the
northwest. Dick has been injured in a serious accident in New Zealand. I
suspect FOT member Bill Hart and Tony Garmey are with him, though I haven't
heard from them. These are the threads from some messages I recieved last
night:
Bill,
Thanks for the message - count me in as I only wish we could do something.
I am presently in NZ and spoke with Judy this morning. Dick is still in a
coma and they are thinking of moving him to Christchurch today for an MRI.
Judy fortunately has many friends here who are providing much valued support
and love.
Judy said that she appreciated all the thoughts and prayers for Dick and to
keep it up.
Regards
David Cohen
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Babcock <BillB@bnj.com>
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2004 10:58 pm
Subject: RE: Dick Buckingham Accident in New Zealand
> Damn, not good news. If there is anything we can do to help,
> please let me
> know. Financial assistance, help with doctors. There's a lot of
> resources out here. Just say the word.
>
> Bill
>
> > Subject: Re: Dick Buckingham Accident in New Zealand
>
>
> 02/08/04
>
> Dear Fellow Guild Members and Friends,
>
> I was contacted by Tom Armstrong last night with the news that while
> racing in New Zealand, Dick Buckingham was involved in a severe
> accident and is in a coma. The accident happened sometime on Friday
> (Ourtime...it would have been Saturday in New Zealand). Tom's
> information was sketchy regarding the particulars of the accident
> but it appears
> that Dick was knocked unconscious and may have been without oxygen
> for a
> while. He is a the hospital in a small town in New Zealand and a
> neurologist, from Seattle (Who is also a friend of the
> Armstrong's.) is
> in consultation with the doctors over there. According to Tom,
> they have
> followed all the correct protocol's regarding a coma and have
> administered some sort of drug (I am assuming it has something to do
> with keeping the swelling of the brain under control.) that they have
> now taken him off...he has been off the medication for about 18 hours
> but is still in the coma. At this point they don't know what will
> happen. Judy is, as we can imagine, pretty shook but she does have
> manyof their N.Z friends (and a Seattle contingent of racers)
> supportingher. Susan Armstrong may decide to fly there and be with
> her.
>
> There isn't much any of us can do but to keep Dick and Judy in our
> prayers...and also pray that the doctors are able to pull him through
> this difficult time. I will keep you all updated as I get more
> information.
>
> 2nd UPDATE - 02/10/04
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> I received a call from Tom Armstrong this evening to let me know that
> Dick has been taken off a respirator and is breathing on his own.
> Evidentially, the first time he was taken off the respirator, he
> was not
> able to breath but in subsequent tries his breathing started. However,
> the hospital is having to suction out his lungs to keep them clear of
> fluid build-up. Tomorrow (which is today in N.Z.) he is being
> moved to
> Christchurch for an MRI. It is a 2 hour ambulance ride from the
> hospitalhe is now in. The doctors, at the small town, where he is
> presentlyhospitalized have suggested to Judy that after the MRI,
> he be
> transported back. However, Tom and the Seattle Neurologist have been
> encouraging Judy to tell them she wants him to remain at the larger
> hospital in Christchurch. The feeling is that the larger hospital will
> be better equipped to handle Dick's needs plus Judy and Dick have many
> friends in Christchurch that will be able to provide emotional and
> physical support. I have no details of the accident and I can't
> tell you
> what other injuries Dick may have sustained because of it. No one can
> even hazard a guess at when or if Dick will come out of the coma...or,
> what type of damage to his brain may have occurred. Many of you have
> emailed saying that you are available to help if needed. On behalf of
> Judy and Dick, I want to thank you all for the offers and let you know
> that at this time the only support we can give are our prayers and
> positive thoughts. In the future, we will probably have to join forces
> to (At least temporarily) fill the enormous work load that both
> Judy and
> Dick have taken on both in vintage racing and with Children's
> Hospital.For the time being, it is a "wait and see" situation. I
> also want to
> clarify that Susan Armstrong has not flown down to New Zealand
> yet...there may come a time when that will be necessary to help
> Judy...but at present she is standing by.
>
> Sincerely, Elna
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