MATT UPDATES IN HERE!!!!

[ahmonrah]

tasuki should talk to him, she had similar injuries from her wreck still walks with a slight limp too. but my prayers go out to him and his fam. i've conversed with his a few times since he's been a member. cool cat.

[B18c-rex]

i know grady has an awesome trauma ward so i am sure he is in good hands.

[Brett]

^^ Yeah thats one thing we all said when this happened was luckilly Grady was right up the street, they are a level 5 trama center so he had the best care.

I am so glad to hear as bad as it looked its not as bad as we thought. Granted he is banged up, But no head/brain trama is GREAT!!! Broken bones will heal, So that is awesome news!!!

[2.3 Evo 8]

Glad he is alive. He is going to be in a lot of pain after surgery. The good thing is broken bones can heal.

Good luck on a speedy recovery.

[mach1girl]

Just an update. We just talk to Matt's (AP) Mom and he is doing good. He will be in surgery for his legs until about 3am. He does have insurance and we think everything should be covered, we will keep you posted.

M1G

[coolZero]

Good to hear that he will pull through that was intense to say the least. Will keep him in my prayers.

[batdude8]

I was the first person to get to matt, i started running towards him before he hit the ground cause i knew he was gonna need help. as soon as i got to him i saw lots of blood, i ripped my shirt off as fast as i could to stop the bleeding that seemed to be coming from everywhere. it seemed as though he was unconscious at first cause he wasnt responding to anything, but a few minutes into it he started to respond to tracys questions by squeasing his hands, which was a very good sign. as he fell in and out of counciousness he fought to move his head, it was extremly difficult to hold his head still, i was afraid that he was gonna have some major back/neck/head issues with the movement that i wasnt able to control. when the ambulance finally came it seemed like he started to become more conscious and was now responding by voice to some questions. after he had left in the ambulance it really started to hit me what really happened. matt, your in my prayers buddy, i know youll pull through!

[Vteckidd]

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

[Flip]

Wow good to hear the positive news... Pull through Matt...

i don't know whats up with today but i just got the news that one of my friends from highschool died last night in a car accident.

[Fast Shadow]

I was the first person to get to matt, i started running towards him before he hit the ground cause i knew he was gonna need help. as soon as i got to him i saw lots of blood, i ripped my shirt off as fast as i could to stop the bleeding that seemed to be coming from everywhere. it seemed as though he was unconscious at first cause he wasnt responding to anything, but a few minutes into it he started to respond to tracys questions by squeasing his hands, which was a very good sign. as he fell in and out of counciousness he fought to move his head, it was extremly difficult to hold his head still, i was afraid that he was gonna have some major back/neck/head issues with the movement that i wasnt able to control.

Man, you should be thanked by all for remembering these things under pressure. You seriously could have prevented Matt's injuries from being worse.

[The Ren]

Im so glad to hear he is doing ok.. I hope the fund we have set up for him will help him out with him going to have to be out of work for awhile.. I know how long I was out with my pelvis and such...

[speedminded]

updated with a new thread, sorry for the double post... http://forums.importatlanta.com/showthread.php?t=91640

[batdude8]

Man, you should be thanked by all for remembering these things under pressure. You seriously could have prevented Matt's injuries from being worse.

I just did what anyone would have done. i know i'd want some1 to help me in my time of need. so i did what i could, just wish i coulda done more....

[Jaimecbr900]

As I posted in the other post, he's going to be in area 6B.

I'll post the room number later.

[Leadfoot_mf]

^^^dan dont take it too hard u did the best you could. Shit happens we pray matt will have a full recovery but dont be too hard on yourself.

[Leadfoot_mf]

does anybody know how the driver of the car that hit him is doing? i hope he is okay as well.

[Jaimecbr900]

Just got his room info:

He is going to be in room #45 in 6B.

His direct phone number is going to be 404-616-9094.

Phones get turned off automatically after 10 p.m. and come back on at 7 a.m.

[Tank]

can someoen pm me what happened was it a car accident or what cause i have no clue what happened i just know matt from him riding with me on a mountina run and talkin with him on IA a couple times thanks and me and my wife prayers are with him.



Drew

[Jaimecbr900]

I wanted to only give updates to everyone, since this about Matt and not about a soap box.

But I'm going to say something here:

This is not about who's at fault and who isn't. Matt was where he was supposed to be. He was only a few feet from a light pole, a light pole that were it not for a few feet could have possibly minimized his injury. So could staying in bed with some fine woman and not even come out at all.

We can all sit here and speculate about shoulda coulda woulda, but the reality of the matter is that it happened. It happened irrespective of precautions, waivers, and watchfull eyes. I can tell you from experience that our vision is greatly impaired when looking through a tiny viewfinder. We have to be quick on our feet and try to expect the unexpected. Matt had his back turned to the car that got him. I saw the skid marks. I saw Matt's blood running down the asphalt. I saw the look in his eyes. I saw it. So did a few other people. It's hard to forget. It's also hard to forget the agony one young man was feeling just a few feet away from our friend Matt. He didn't do it on purpose. He, I'm sure, tried his hardest NOT to hit Matt. We can't condemn him, nor point fingers. It was an ACCIDENT. Horrible accident, but an accident.

Poor Paul was damn near in tears when he had to make that phone call to Matt's parents. I've never seen him like that. I'm sure that will stay with him for a while.

I had someone run up to me and tell me that I was "lucky" I had just gotten off the track because "my buddy just got hit by a car".....that's how I found out about Matt. I had a couple of cars come REALLY close to me. Enough to make me go take a break and wait for the pros before I was going to go back out there. I don't blame them at all. I blame myself for putting myself in the middle of the action. It is my risk that I assumed. It could of just as easily been me or Brady on that back board. We both stood right where Matt was only minutes before.

Bottomline is that this ACCIDENT is not about finger pointing, and it should be about rallying around a friend. All the blame and speculating in the world is not going to change the fact of what happened. It's also not going to help Matt recover and heal from his wounds. Let's keep focus on what really is important here: Matt and his recovery. We'll worry about what needs to get done NEXT TIME later, when Matt is out of the woods and feeling better.

[Leadfoot_mf]

^^^well said jaime. like i said in post #56 is the kid that was driving the car okay? is anybody with him? i know he probably needs help and prayers as well.

[FCK_Photo]

im still in shock after seeing, this
as i have been saying, the 6 or so of us photogaphers had been commenting most of the day of how pole number 6 was differant, it had car coming in and towards your vs on pole 5 going away and outwards from us.
As far as people saying there were too many photographers...
there were six of us at most, and for most of us this is our job...
plus we all signed a wavior to be out there, its a tragedy what happened
but there really isnt finger to be pointed , its a combination of events
and BEING a photographer on track and 15 ft away when it happened i can say ot shook me up, i looked up and looked him in the face as it happened....
about his camera, i saw the guy with the blonde longer hair who was hanging out at the crew with it, so im sure the camera got back to its owner, and luckily i think only the lens was damaged
im sure all the infeild photographers hope a speedy recovery to Matt

[boosted1jz]

damn man!!! sorry to hear bout this!!! i hope for a speedy recovery!!!!!

chris

[The Ren]

im still in shock after seeing, this
as i have been saying, the 6 or so of us photogaphers had been commenting most of the day of how pole number 6 was differant, it had car coming in and towards your vs on pole 5 going away and outwards from us.
As far as people saying there were too many photographers...
there were six of us at most, and for most of us this is our job...
plus we all signed a wavior to be out there, its a tragedy what happened
but there really isnt finger to be pointed , its a combination of events
and BEING a photographer on track and 15 ft away when it happened i can say ot shook me up, i looked up and looked him in the face as it happened....
about his camera, i saw the guy with the blonde longer hair who was hanging out at the crew with it, so im sure the camera got back to its owner, and luckily i think only the lens was damaged
im sure all the infeild photographers hope a speedy recovery to Matt

Actually the camera Matt was using at the time belonged to Tom (the blonde dude).. but he also has Matts camera.. and it wasnt just the lense.. the whole camera is gone.. but that is besides the point.. There is no really one person to blame.. but it definatly shows us what changes need to be made in the future..

[QuickBrick]

I wanted to only give updates to everyone, since this about Matt and not about a soap box.

But I'm going to say something here:

This is not about who's at fault and who isn't. Matt was where he was supposed to be. He was only a few feet from a light pole, a light pole that were it not for a few feet could have possibly minimized his injury. So could staying in bed with some fine woman and not even come out at all.

We can all sit here and speculate about shoulda coulda woulda, but the reality of the matter is that it happened. It happened irrespective of precautions, waivers, and watchfull eyes. I can tell you from experience that our vision is greatly impaired when looking through a tiny viewfinder. We have to be quick on our feet and try to expect the unexpected. Matt had his back turned to the car that got him. I saw the skid marks. I saw Matt's blood running down the asphalt. I saw the look in his eyes. I saw it. So did a few other people. It's hard to forget. It's also hard to forget the agony one young man was feeling just a few feet away from our friend Matt. He didn't do it on purpose. He, I'm sure, tried his hardest NOT to hit Matt. We can't condemn him, nor point fingers. It was an ACCIDENT. Horrible accident, but an accident.

Poor Paul was damn near in tears when he had to make that phone call to Matt's parents. I've never seen him like that. I'm sure that will stay with him for a while.

I had someone run up to me and tell me that I was "lucky" I had just gotten off the track because "my buddy just got hit by a car".....that's how I found out about Matt. I had a couple of cars come REALLY close to me. Enough to make me go take a break and wait for the pros before I was going to go back out there. I don't blame them at all. I blame myself for putting myself in the middle of the action. It is my risk that I assumed. It could of just as easily been me or Brady on that back board. We both stood right where Matt was only minutes before.

Bottomline is that this ACCIDENT is not about finger pointing, and it should be about rallying around a friend. All the blame and speculating in the world is not going to change the fact of what happened. It's also not going to help Matt recover and heal from his wounds. Let's keep focus on what really is important here: Matt and his recovery. We'll worry about what needs to get done NEXT TIME later, when Matt is out of the woods and feeling better.

Well said Jamie. I hope your felling better my friend.

about his camera, i saw the guy with the blonde longer hair who was hanging out at the crew with it, so im sure the camera got back to its owner, and luckily i think only the lens was damaged
im sure all the infeild photographers hope a speedy recovery to Matt

Actually the camera Matt was using at the time belonged to Tom (the blonde dude).. but he also has Matts camera.. and it wasnt just the lense.. the whole camera is gone.. but that is besides the point.. There is no really one person to blame.. but it definatly shows us what changes need to be made in the future..

Yes the camera is a loss but I really don’t care right now it can be replaced, my friend cant…

I have Matt’s camera and the bottom of his cell phone, luckily his sim card was intact and Paul was able to use it in his cell to call family immediately. I think this goes without saying I wouldn’t lend my setup to just anyone, Matt and I have been working together to enhance his skills with stuff he has never had the opportunity to do, and its been fun. IMHO he has one heck of a good eye and is a great study so I didn’t hesitate in letting him take my new setup out on the track to experiment with. After he was taken to the hospital I found the memory card (ejected from the camera down the track) and have uploaded the shots, he will be happy to know (because of his love for photography) the shots turned out fantastic! Again I do have his setup, its in good hands.

Matt my prayers are with ya buddy and I’ll be visiting shortly, get well soon!

Tom

[ORGANIZATIONXIII]

I'm praying for a speedy recovery..

[The Ren]

Well said Jamie. I hope your felling better my friend.





Yes the camera is a loss but I really don’t care right now it can be replaced, my friend cant…

I have Matt’s camera and the bottom of his cell phone, luckily his sim card was intact and Paul was able to use it in his cell to call family immediately. I think this goes without saying I wouldn’t lend my setup to just anyone, Matt and I have been working together to enhance his skills with stuff he has never had the opportunity to do, and its been fun. IMHO he has one heck of a good eye and is a great study so I didn’t hesitate in letting him take my new setup out on the track to experiment with. After he was taken to the hospital I found the memory card (ejected from the camera down the track) and have uploaded the shots, he will be happy to know (because of his love for photography) the shots turned out fantastic! Again I do have his setup, its in good hands.

Matt my prayers are with ya buddy and I’ll be visiting shortly, get well soon!

Tom

Oh sweetie I know.. believe me.. I was just stating for the record..

[mach1girl]

Well said Jamie. I hope your felling better my friend.





Yes the camera is a loss but I really don’t care right now it can be replaced, my friend cant…

I have Matt’s camera and the bottom of his cell phone, luckily his sim card was intact and Paul was able to use it in his cell to call family immediately. I think this goes without saying I wouldn’t lend my setup to just anyone, Matt and I have been working together to enhance his skills with stuff he has never had the opportunity to do, and its been fun. IMHO he has one heck of a good eye and is a great study so I didn’t hesitate in letting him take my new setup out on the track to experiment with. After he was taken to the hospital I found the memory card (ejected from the camera down the track) and have uploaded the shots, he will be happy to know (because of his love for photography) the shots turned out fantastic! Again I do have his setup, its in good hands.

Matt my prayers are with ya buddy and I’ll be visiting shortly, get well soon!

Tom

Jamie and Tom and all involved i don't think we have had the chance to meet everyone yet, but mine and Hamby's(WIKDLX) regards are sent to you all. Jamie and Tom well said. with respect to everyone involved the folks that had to see someone, let alone their friend be in this type of accident, to Matt(AP) and his family, to the gentleman and his family that were in the car, to the folks that put Drift Fury on, i think at this time it is not good to point fingers and give it a rest for bit, even the odd and ends negative comments aren't necessay. Let the emotions of the situation die down, let Matt get well. Matt has a good heart and a kind soul and wouldn't want to see his friends or those involved in anymore pain than necessary. Once it has all died down and matt is one his way to recovery then go at it. I think being supportive to each other right now, keeping things positive and not pointing fingers at this point is the respectible thing to do. It will get figured out on what happened but in time it always does. Everyone is hurting and i know wants to quickly say as I quote Jamie, the woulda coulda woulda... But it is not going to change what happened.

Tom maybe we can see about getting Ren to set up a fund for you and get you your camera. I know you are more worried about your friend than a materialistic item but I know Matt would want to make sure you had it!

Speedminded(Jason) good job hanging with his mom and dad and being at the hospital for 7hours. Hamby said thank you for keeping us posted.

Hugs everyone!

M1G

[Bajjani]

Yea I was out there, I was helpin volunteer

i had jus taken a break to go find some water since a ton of people jus showed up and there were to many of us out there (at least i thought)

as soon as i got back to where the course was set up my friend was like holy shit someone just got hit by a car so me and him bolted over there

i didn't see what actually happened but yea

we were all prayin for him thank god hes not banged up worse

[Crowml]

Tom, Paul, Jaime, Ren, all other friends of Matt.
Wanted to commend you all for the kind words and maturity with which you all have handled this. I can only imagine how difficult it has been. Matt is very lucky to have the enite support of IA and as many friends as he did caring for him while he was on the field. The greatest thing we can do now is keep him and his family in our prayers and wish him a speedy recovery.

[Fast Shadow]

what brand/model of camera is it?

OK - I just saw in the donation thread that Matt was using someone else's camera when he was hit. Is his own camera OK? Does Matt need a new camera is really what I'm asking.

[Maniaç]

Sucks to hear about what happened. I don't know Matt but he seems like he's a real cool cat, and alot of yall care about him. Sorry guys. Hope everythings fine and hope he recovers quickly.

Why don't yall sticky this thread?

[The Ren]

what brand/model of camera is it?

OK - I just saw in the donation thread that Matt was using someone else's camera when he was hit. Is his own camera OK? Does Matt need a new camera is really what I'm asking.

Matts camera is fine..

[PCPtuner]

any new updates on his(matt) condition and does anyone know how the driver is doin?

[HiPSI]

best of luck to matt on a speedy and full recovery.

[mach1girl]

I will keep Matt updates on the following thread. So I can keep it to one central spot.

http://forums.importatlanta.com/show...7#post35190167

Hamby has also spoke with the drivers family and they are doing as well as can be expected. Both families will be or already are in communication with each other.

Hamby and I will be spending time with the Campbell's tonight after ICU visiting hours are over. When we get back we will make sure to post any news. Hopefully Matt will be out of ICU soon so he can start getting more visitors... cause you know his butt is going to ancy as hell and he is going to want some company

Also Speedminded(Jason) is in regular communications with Matt's parents so look for info from him as well.

M1G

[AtifSajid]

Thanks for the updates. Please keep us posted. This is really tragic. I hope he recovers well. Good luck bro!! I will pray for you!!

[DrivenMind]

Well said Jamie. I hope your felling better my friend.





Yes the camera is a loss but I really don’t care right now it can be replaced, my friend cant…

I have Matt’s camera and the bottom of his cell phone, luckily his sim card was intact and Paul was able to use it in his cell to call family immediately. I think this goes without saying I wouldn’t lend my setup to just anyone, Matt and I have been working together to enhance his skills with stuff he has never had the opportunity to do, and its been fun. IMHO he has one heck of a good eye and is a great study so I didn’t hesitate in letting him take my new setup out on the track to experiment with. After he was taken to the hospital I found the memory card (ejected from the camera down the track) and have uploaded the shots, he will be happy to know (because of his love for photography) the shots turned out fantastic! Again I do have his setup, its in good hands.

Matt my prayers are with ya buddy and I’ll be visiting shortly, get well soon!

Tom

Ya actually speaking of Matt's photography, I've seen some of his recent stuff and he's improving at a rediculious rate. The Formula D coverage he did was simply awesome.


Maybe we should make a thread specifically for event organizers/ media to put their collective heads together, and try to come up with different things we can do to try and avoid something like this in the future. I always love shooting these events, and would hate to see overzealous restrictions put in place on media personell in the name of saftey (like NO photographers on track infield). Most photographers know and accept, that sometimes the best shots are the ones that are a little risky to take, and occasionally to get the shot we envision, we have to knowingly take that risk. So a compromise should be made somewhere in between.

There really isn't anyone to assign blame to, and I hope no one took my post in the other thread as though that's what I was saying. I wasn't trying to assign blame by any means, rather, merely trying to think of various things (saftey precautions, types of barriers, platforms, or locations) that could potentially keep this from happenening again in the future. I spend a whole lot of my free time standing in the oncoming path of fast moving cars, taking pictures, just like the rest of the photogeeks here do, purely for the love of it. So when Matt got hit, it really hit home hard that, that could have been any one of us.

I've spent my whole weekend reflecting on the seemingly unneeded risks I take in my everyday life for the sake of photography, and trying to justify each one of them to myself, in my head. Logically they actually make very little sense, but to a photographer... well we seem to find all the justification we need in our pictures themselves.

Anyway, I hope your feeling better today Matt. I'm looking foward to shooting with you again after you're feeling 100%.

[speedminded]

Maybe we should make a thread specifically for event organizers/ media to put their collective heads together, and try to come up with different things we can do to try and avoid something like this in the future...

I was thinking the same thing on the way home tonight from the hospital. A few have said recently that this is not the time but it's never too soon to start making decisions like that...we don't want the excuse it's too late for someone else.


**EDIT**
Made a thread... http://forums.importatlanta.com/showthread.php?t=91771

[babygurl]

WOW any Monday Morning Updates??

I am glad he is aware of his surroundings, I am sure he will make a speedy recovery. We all know Matt is a fighter, and will not let this keep him down.

I will def. Be donating to the fund by friday when I get paid.

Thanks Qd and everyone for the updates...keep em comin!

[mach1girl]

http://forums.importatlanta.com/show...4#post35192314