6-Year-Old Released From Hospital After Pikes Peak Accident
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- A little girl was rushed to the hospital after she was hurt during a practice run on the Pikes Peak Highway Friday morning.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said the child was awake and breathing when she was airlifted to Memorial Hospital.
She was released Friday night with minor injuries.
She was struck at about 9:30 a.m. Friday during a warm up for Sunday's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
The child's father said the family was visiting the area from Austin, Texas when they decided to watch the practice for the race. The family was on their way back to Austin on Saturday.
Another person was also injured in the accident and taken by ambulance to Penrose Hospital for back injuries.
During the investigation by police in Colorado Springs, officers discovered the girl was not struck by the race car but instead was standing on top of a boulder which was struck by the car, causing her to fall.
Police believe if it hadn't been for the rock her injuries would have been much worse.
Police say the race car driver from Sweden was warming up for the hill climb by practicing time trials. He crossed the finish line at the top of Pikes Peak. He was entering the parking lot turn around area when he realized he had no brakes.
Investigators says the driver put his vehicle into a side skid in an attempt to slow the car down. He slid sideways into a large boulder, where the girl was standing.
The girl was thrown several feet away from the rock.
The Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb was first held on August 10, 11, and 12, 1916. Through the years the road was widened and some sections paved. It is now fully paved after work was completed in 2011, and this summer's race will be the first on all asphalt for the competitors.
