JUNE 18, 2010

JJ Lehto injured in boat accident

Former Formula One driver JJ Lehto suffered broken ribs and an injuries to his head in a boat accident early this morning in Finland. A friend of the Finnish driver died in the collision of the small boat they were travelling in against a bridge support in Tammisare, in Finland's Southern Coast.

The accident happened at 4am and apparently the two men were alone in the boat. Both were thrown out on impact, as they were travelling at around 40 knots at the time, but while the former Onyx, Scuderia Italia, Sauber and Benetton driver managed to swim to the shore and walk to a house in search of help, his friend's body was found by the police a couple of hours later.

According to YLE News, the local police have yet to identify Lehto, who has rejoined the Formula One community as a TV commentator for Finnish station MTV3, but he was recognised by people on the scene. He's expected to stay overnight in hospital but the Finnish police won't reveal any more details of the accident for now.