Family of injured Dorset rally driver fly out

7:00am Wednesday 14th January 2009

FRIENDS and colleagues of a Dorset rally driver who was seriously injured in an accident during the Dakar Rally say they are “extremely relieved” he is out of the woods.

Paul Green, who lives in Wimborne with his wife Fiona and daughters Emma and Mary, and his navigator Matt Harrison, were left fighting for their lives when their vehicle overturned during the first stage of the rally in Argentina on January 3.

The Team Desert Warrior duo were rushed to hospital and put into an artificial coma after suffering from breathing difficulties.

Mr Green, 55, suffered a heavy blow to the thorax and the spinal column.

He was transferred to a larger hospital in Buenos Aires where he is being treated for a spinal injury.

Mr Green, who owns Environmental Drain Services Ltd based on the Ebblake Industrial Estate in Verwood, has competed in the Dakar Rally in the past.

His family and colleagues say they have had an anxious few weeks.

Catherine Dawes, office manager, said: “He’s out of danger. Paul was brought out of the coma last week.

“He is now talking and texting and is raring to get home. We hope he will be flown back in the next three days. It is really good news, we were so, so worried about him.

“Sadly his co-pilot is still in an induced coma,” she added.

Mr Green’s wife and one of his daughters flew to Argentina to be with him and it is understood he will be transferred straight to Salisbury District Hospital when he arrives back in the country.

Mr Harrison suffered a serious thorax injury and his condition has been described as “serious”.

Mr Green last competed in the Dakar in 2005 where he finished 46th overall – the only British team to complete the course on four wheels.

He was due to compete in 2008 but the Dakar rally was cancelled because of fears of terrorism in Mauritania. This year it is being held in Argentina and Chile.