On Saturday, June 3rd, 1978, one week after the Indianapolis 500 I was looking forward to a well-deserved weekend off after my 2nd race as Director of Photography at IMS. I was up early and headed down to meet a couple of friends and head to a new motorcycle shop to look at some accessories for my latest ride, a recently purchased Honda Gold Wing.
On I-65 as I approached the West Street exit, I was suddenly “flying” through the air after being hit by a car travelling southbound on the Interstate at a high rate of speed. The “hit & run” driver never slowed down and as I rolled and tumbled , the cars behind me dodged me and when I stopped, I was conscious but realized my left leg and ankle were shattered.
Honda Gold Wing
I rolled to the median and before I stopped, a “Good Samaritan” who had witnessed my plight from the northbound lane was at my side almost instantly. He said he was a Doctor and to lie still until he checked me out. Upon removing my helmet, he recognized me from the track. We had been introduced at the race, as a friend of the Valvoline photographer and a photographer himself.
Photo taken by Indianapolis Star photographer Bob Doeppers
He was on his way to work at Methodist Hospital and was at my side when I arrived by ambulance. With the extensive leg damage the car did, the Doctor in charge felt the only way to proceed was amputation. The Doctor from the scene said he was familiar with me and felt he could save the leg due to new procedures he had studied at a recent seminar. He was given a 5% or less chance to save my leg. He did his magic and with several operations and lots of time in casts, the leg was miraculously saved by time of the 1979 Indy 500, I was able to walk on it again.
The Doctor would become the famous Racing Doctor, Dr. Terry Trammell, and I was his 1st “at scene” customer! He was not able to immediately take credit for the work for me because he was in his last few weeks as a Doctor in Resident. Thanks to him, I have my leg and while it is not pretty, it is still quite useful. Dr. Trammell went on to repair the limbs of IndyCar Drivers like Danny Ongais, AJ Foyt, Gordon Johncock and many more after their racing accidents and is still active with INDYCAR.
Dr. Trammell
Ron, I’m not sure if you saw the TV show on Terry. Here is the first of a 4 part video. Amazing stuff, I’m glad he could be a part of your recovery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQmPD9mZuhc
Very cool! In 1981 I was temporarily paralyzed due to a tumor on my spinal cord. While a neurosurgeon did a majority of the work, my orthopedic Doctor was Dr. Trammel. The next few weeks I was in physical therapy at Methodist (along with Landon Turner!) and within a month had “re-learned” to walk and back on my feet! A BIG thanks to Dr Trammel for all he has done for many people!
Ron,
That story just made my day. I have always wondered where this great doctor came from!
Excellent 4 part YouTube on Dr Terry Trammel….. All The Kings Men! I look forward to meet Dr. Trammel one day!
Very good to read and many thanks to Dr. Trammel and all he has done not only for the drivers down through the years but for others also. Am glad he was there for you Ron and that you have been able to keep the great pictures coming for all to see. I hope we can come lens to lens at IMS some day.
Let’s not forget Dr. Trammel’s heroic effort that saved the life of Alex Zanardi in 2001.
Ron, I didn’t know about this accident when I had you sign my 1978 Official Photographers Shirt! Sure glad you recovered for the sake of all those years of Pace Car Photography! Thank you!
Ron…I didn’t know about this either. Glad to hear you had a terrific doctor and have recovered. You’re a terrific asset to the Speedway!