The racing driver who was thrown from a car after hitting a barrier and survived

Even in the extreme sport of racing, driver Martin Donnelly may be one of the luckiest guys to survive in its history.

In 1990, Donnelly was in Spain competing in the Formula One race on the Jerez circuit. In the blink of an eye, his career was over when his Lotus 102 speared off into the barrier at 140 miles an hour.

Donnelly was thrown from the vehicle with his seat still strapped to his back. His car was totally obliterated – I mean, completely!

Donnelly should not have survived this crash and yet did, but not without suffering any injuries. The racer suffered two broken legs, bruising on his lungs and brain and blood loss. The crash was so violent, it even cracked his crash helmet.

After undergoing intensive care and a long recovery, Martin Donnelly now only walks with a slight limp. Thanks to this terrible crash, there has been improved impact protection on F1 cars to ensure future survivors of accidents like his.