Bayden Ellston: Two surgeries after horror Hobart Speedway crash
A Tasmanian Formula 500-driving father-of-three has undergone two surgeries after a horror crash at Hobart Speedway on the weekend. LATEST >>
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A Tasmanian Formula 500 driver sustained multiple skull fractures and was placed in an induced coma following a horror crash at Hobart Raceway on Saturday, the second life-threatening crash on the state’s tracks in a fortnight.
Paramedics were called to the raceway about 9.15pm on Saturday after Launceston driver Bayden Ellston, a father-of-three, crashed during the first lap of the F500 Tasmanian Title.
According to Cobey Phillips, the best friend of Bayden’s wife Brittany, Bayden remained in a “stable but critical condition” in an induced coma at Royal Hobart Hospital, as at approximately 2pm Sunday.
He sustained “multiple skull fractures,” they said.
“This is going to be an extremely long road to recovery.
“They have three beautiful girls and life has just become extremely hard.”
Brittany took to social media on Monday night to provide a further update on her husband’s condition and thank wellwishers.
“It has been an extremely tough 24 hours and we are not out of the woods by any means,” Brittany said.
“He is currently and will remain in an induced coma while the surgeons and doctors work out the best course of treatment.
“With two head surgeries under his belt already, he is showing us what a massive fighter he is.
“Bayden is my world and my girls’ world and I honestly don’t know how I will cope if he doesn’t continue to be a stubborn bastard and hang in there for us all.
“It’s going to be day by day and step my step but we will take whatever this trauma throws at us as a family and it is definitely easier knowing you are all in his corner and in this fight with us.”
Bayden is a talented crane technician who has worked at the Launceston depot of Cranes Combined for nearly eight years, having returned home from a stint on the mainland.
Cranes Combined director Cathy Kolodziej told the Mercury that Bayden’s accident had “affected everybody here (on Monday)”.
“He is one of our senior operators, even though he is quite young. His abilities and how he is as an employee has made him a top operator,” Ms Kolodziej said.
“We were very lucky when he came.”
Top Tasmanian F500 competitor Bailey Mason said Bayden’s crash had left him “speechless” and revealed he was a significant mentor to him.
“Bayden is one of my mates and he has given me so much advice that has helped me in the last 12 months in my racing career. Now I’m coming off three feature wins in a row,” Mr Mason said.
“Speedway was Bayden’s passion since I’ve known him, it’s what he loves.
“To be honest, I’m speechless. I really don’t know what to say. All I want is the family to know that as a fellow racer my phone is always on and I’m only one message or phone call away.”
An online fundraiser to support the Ellston family financially throughout Bayden’s recovery has raised nearly $12,500 at the time of writing.
Bayden’s is the second serious incident at Tasmanian speedways in the past week.
Moriarty farmer Adrian Redpath was left temporarily paralysed after crashing at the Sprintcars State Title at Carrick Speedway on February 25.
He, too, faces a long and uncertain road to recovery.
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