Drift Fury is over b/cof accident!- Keep Matt Campbell in your prayers!

[b16_madman]

Man, I'm sad to hear about this. When you say he was shooting for AP, what publication is that? Like AP the wire associated press? I doubted so.
When we're behind a lense the camera really blocks our perephrial vision. It's a real shame it hit him without him even seeing.
Before I read he was hit in the back, I wondered, did he get the shot? 90% of you find it disrespectful, do not take it that way. the photographer knows what I mean when I say it because we put ourselves in crazy situations sometimes.
As far as the videos go I hope it just doesn't end up on some local news station & that's that. I think the video should be posted though, since it will serve as a well reminder of the dangers of the job. Plus it will raise the safety awareness when at an event like this.
I hope the DF team can make the best of this horrible situation. Don't know the guy, but it hits closer to home when you know it could've been you out there.

[vintage_roadster]

Dude - his domain is here:
http://www.atlantaperformancephotography.com/

I pray he recovers. What a day at the event.

[tony]

Hope everything turns out okay, judging from the work he's posted he's very good at what he does and this is very unfortunate.

[4dmin]

FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD HIS LEG WAS PRETTY MESSED UP BUT HE WAS TAKING VISITORS SO I WOULD ASSUME MOST OF THE INJURYS AREN'T LIFE THREATENING (I'M GOING ON WHAT I WAS TOLD). SO W/ THAT SAID... I HAVE MORE INFORMATION TOMORROW ON HIM AND I WILL POST UP.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT; MATT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LONG TIME FRIEND OF IA, HE IS A MODERATOR, AND HAS DONE ALOT OF EVENT COVERAGE FOR US. DEFINATELY KEEP HIM/FAMILY IN YOUR THOUGHTS. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.


ps. this is by far a definate learning experience for everyone. i know many people at every competitive motoring event trying to get out on the track for better coverage. you have to understand the risk involved; i am very glad our crew has been very strict at our events as far as not allowing unauthorized people in harms way. i hope some will take notice to this when they are at their next event. i know there will be lengthy discussions on preventing such accidents in the future.

[AtlE30]

Jesus, and I was supposed to go to shoot this.. I forgot to send in my form so I skipped the event. god damn.

Were there no barriers separating the cars from spectators/photographers?

There's no barriers. You have to stay on your toes all the time, and try to keep an eye on all cars on track. It's risky business out there, and especially with multiple cars on track it gets to be a little hard trying to keep an eye on everything. I've been shooting these events for the past two years now, and hadn't ever really given a second thought to actually being hit by a car. Usually things go smoothly and as the event winds down, we're all comparing the last few shots, or our favorites throughout the day as we're walking over to the winners circle.

It just goes to show accidents can happen no matter how well prepared we all think we are. We'd be wise to put our heads together and see if there isn't some kind of precautionairy measure we can't take to try and ensure that something likes this doesn't happen agian; Be it track design, creating new designated media locations for the photographers to shoot from, or even some kind of platforms like they use to film D1 in Japan, they keep the photographers from being hit directly on by a car.

Personally I think crash barriers are a horrible idea. If anyone was at Nopi in '04, a drift car lost control and smashed into a barrier, the barrier itself was thrown backwards 6 or 7 feet, and went through the fence into the spectators. I was standing a few feet away and couldn't believe it. The only barriers I really have much faith in are the enormous cement monsters at Road Atlanta.

[B18c-rex]

It was definately a bad ending to a great day of drifting. Me and brady were standin in the same spot not two seconds before the accident. You have my prayers matt . Why did it take so damn long for the emt's and cops to show when there right down the road...?

[hondamex7217]

shit man i was there when that shit went down. he did like 3 flips in the air like 9feet hi and landed on his head.. but man i hope hes ok .. i seen like 3 girls crying i was like man shit can really go down..

[buddha@TeamFX]

Matt...you will definately be in my prayers buddy!...If there is anything at all I can do for you just let me know!

[Sport1.3]

i heard earlier today, hope you pull through Matt. my thoughts and prayers are with ya man!!!

[CHADbee]

Why did it take so damn long for the emt's and cops to show when there right down the road...?

i was wondering the same thing...i've never been to a motorsports event where there was'nt an ambulance there on call

[B18c-rex]

I know seven of the volunteers including myself were on the phone to 911 right after the accident and all we got from them was automated anwsering machine

[The Ren]

^ Thats rediculous

[seksehowy]

hope he'll be alright, hope the media wont demonize drifting at the blue lot now

[Flip]

wow i heard about this earlier today but didn't realize it was Matt . It really does hit home especiall to those of us that photograph events like this since any one of us could have been standing right there with him... He's a great guy and an awesome photographer and will be in my prayers...

Get well Matt!!

[Vteckidd]

http://forums.importatlanta.com/showthread.php?t=91636

[Fast Shadow]

No barriers, they are out there alongside the people working the track and fixing the cones, etc. Just a VERY unfortunate event. No ones fault.

I don't think it's a matter of fault, but I wouldn't be comfortable without any kind of barrier separating me from the cars, especially during a drift event. I hope they'll add them in the future.

[Fast Shadow]

Personally I think crash barriers are a horrible idea. If anyone was at Nopi in '04, a drift car lost control and smashed into a barrier, the barrier itself was thrown backwards 6 or 7 feet, and went through the fence into the spectators. I was standing a few feet away and couldn't believe it. The only barriers I really have much faith in are the enormous cement monsters at Road Atlanta.

You can get interlocking plastic ones like they used at AMS for the drifting demo at this year's NOPI. They're enough to give some protection without becoming especially dangerous if they were to get dislodged. If not barriers then more separation distance is needed between the course and where people stand.

Anyway, this isn't about assigning blame.. just wanting to suggest ways to make things safer based on my own experiences. I hope Matt is feeling better soon..

[RutRoe]

Matt... I'm so sorry man. You're in my prayers.

Speedy recovery buddy.

[ShooterMcGavin]

damn this sucks, i've only went out to one DF event and did notice right away how close some of the photographers were to the action. i definitely understand the need/want for some great shots but wow, hopefully this serves as a wakeup call that maybe something else needs to be done for their safety. not only is this an "amateur" event, but even if it were a professional event, accidents still happen. hope he makes it out without any problems at all.

[eraser4g63]

. Why did it take so damn long for the emt's and cops to show when there right down the road...?

Once you Dial 911 and your call gets handled it takes an average of 2 mins for them to dispatch an EMS and FD because They have to prioritize the calls (not saying this wasn’t an important call) then if a Unit is out on a call they have to bring in a unit that is not a local bus. And on top of that logistical nightmare Grady moves there crew all over there zones, very rarely will you your work the same area with the same partner with in a week. Anyways I digress, average time for between Being “toned out "( being told there is a call) and actually being enroute to the call is about 1 min depending if they are on lunch or dinner or what is going on. While on the way you must remember your in Atlanta where people are to good to move right for an ambulance of Fire truck ( fuck you people who don’t yield the right of way, pull the fuck over). Your average response time total comes out to about 10 mins if all goes well and there are no issues. Sorry about the rant just thought I would defend my fellow brothers, and the reason there wasn’t one of stand by is cause no one paid for them to be there, it cost a lot of money to have an ambulance tied up in a staging mode, but trust me we enjoy it when we get called out to watch something. But as for Matt I pray you have a swift and fast recovery, and I believe you will see changes in the drift event formats for next season.
*PS. there wer more than EMTs on that truck, there is a EMT and a paramedic (though on cert cards it says EMT-P) they still get pissy about it, i know )

[Deaf Pimp]

Good luck buddy, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[Five*Star*]

Wow, totally horrible. I do hope he has a good recovery!!!

[VTECin5th]

Don't know him but let god be with him, I know how he's family/friends feel. Hope he feels better

[SL33P3R]

Keep you in my prayers bro

[{X}Echo419]

Im not saying I want to see it, I agree that it is fucked up if people want to watch somebody get seriously injured, I was just saying that if anybody post it up here it should be him.

yeah, it's only ok when it's a stranger....

[AtifSajid]

damn..just read this..I hope Matt will be okay..this is messed up.

[Velocifero]

I was down on the lower lot autoxing when it happened, hope he is well, last update they announced at our event said he was doing better than expected, any updated news?