IndyCar: Robert Wickens confirms he is paralyzed from waist down

IndyCar driver Robert Wickens confirmed on social media that he is paralyzed from the waist down following his accident in the race at Pocono Raceway in August.

Schmidt Peterson Motorsports’ Robert Wickens was involved in a nasty crash on the seventh lap of the 200-lap IndyCar race, the ABC Supply 500, at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, August 19 that left him with multiple injuries.

The 29-year-old Canadian has been recovering from his injuries, which include a thoracic spinal fracture, a spinal cord injury, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both of his legs, fractures in both of his hands, a fractured right forearm, a fractured elbow, four fractured ribs and a pulmonary contusion, since this accident.

However, Wickens posted on Instagram and Twitter confirming that he is paralyzed from the waist down.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYJKb-HmBj/?taken-by=robertwickens

Did my first slide transfer as a paraplegic today. My upper body is getting stronger everyday. I’ve only been posting videos of the small movement in my legs, but the reality is I am far away from walking on my own. I’ve never worked harder for anything in my life. More to come!! pic.twitter.com/lMw8XJgOck
— Robert Wickens (@robertwickens) October 26, 2018

The crash in which Wickens was involved took place right after the race’s first (and final) restart. Wickens restarted in sixth place in his #6 Honda and made his way up to fourth through the first turn of the three-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) triangle in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Ryan Hunter-Reay, the driver of the #28 Andretti Autosport Honda, made his way up to third place through turn one after restarting in fourth. Heading into turn two, Wickens made a move to the inside of Hunter-Reay. However, the cars of the two drivers made contact, sending Hunter-Reay’s car up the track.