Indianapolis---James Hinchcliffe is the latest driver to crash during practice for the Indianapolis 500, hitting a barrier in turn three after apparently experiencing mechanical problems with his race car.
The 28-year-old Canadian underwent surgery at an Indianapolis hospital for a injury to his upper left thigh on Monday.
His accident is the fifth major one at this famed four kilometre (2.5-mile) oval in the past week, as IndyCar Series drivers get ready for the 99th Indy 500 on Sunday.
Less than an hour after the start of the practice session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hinchcliffe shot up the track and slammed hard into the barrier. The car then spun down the track and briefly rolled on to its side before it landed back on its wheels and stopped.
The Toronto native was conscious as he was placed on a backboard and transported to the hospital. Emergency crews arrived on the scene immediately and helped Hinchcliffe get out of the heavily-damaged vehicle.
Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden and Ed Carpenter were involved in spectacular crashes, in which their cars went airborne.
Pippa Mann spun out while exiting turn four and made hard contact with the inside wall.
None of them were seriously injured.
AFP
