    |
 |
|
|
|
Re-produced below is an article from the NZ Herald (31 March 2003)
Best wishes to Jason from Silver-Bullet and all it\'s readers.
Superbike Champion\'s Race Future In Doubt After Crash:
Former national superbike champion Jason McEwen may never ride again after an accident in Taupo left him critically injured.
The 35-year-old clipped the rider in front of him in the seventh round of the national Road Racing series in Taupo two weekends ago.
McEwen collided with a tyre wall and broke his back in two places, his wrist, shoulder, some ribs, and smashed a leg. He also punctured both lungs and tore his liver.
The Palmerston North-based rider, who was one of the two main riders of John Britten\'s Britten V 1000, has had four operations so far in Rotorua Hospital, where is expected to stay for three months.
McEwen had some feeling in his toes before the operations but doctors cannot rule out paralysis until they assess his condition once swelling goes down.
McEwen\'s sister Tracy Norton-McEwen said it was a difficult time for the family but they were grateful for the support they had received.
Motorcycling New Zealand chief executive Trevor Gill said McEwen was definitely \"one of our most eminent riders\".
\"He was just making a comeback as well. He had been off for a while then he had a lot of bike trouble early this season.\"
