Possum Bourne

:( ; Sad,Sad news,just announced on TV here Possuns family have asked for his life support to be turned off,His injuries were much worse than originally thought.
Godspeed Possum.

Hi All

Not good news I'm afraid. This was just off a TV3 news update specifically about Possum:

This is from the release from the Bourne family at 7pm NZ time:

"Possum suffered a severe brain injury at the initial incident on Friday 18 April and has been very actively managed until now.

The extent and severity of the injury was not fully apparent until the weekend just gone when ventilaton support was decreased, but he deteriorated and he had to go back on to full support.

Evaluation today including a brain scan confirms the original injury was very severe, and continuing full support is no longer in Possums best interest."

What this means is that life support will be switched off :( :(.

Just heard that on Chanel 10 news hear. Dreadful news. I am sure all out thoughts are with his wife and young children at this time

This is the worst possible news, my thoughts go out to his family.

Oh no...:(

I was so sure he was going to make it, but then we learn about this...just terrible, I really expected him to make it.

Just heard the news, hard to believe it.

"Possum" Bourne's survival hopes fade

Kiwi rally legend's life hangs in the balance as life support is reduced

"Possum" Bourne's family is keeping a 24-hour vigil at the hospital in Dunedin where he is in intensive care as the level of assistance from the machines that are supporting his breathing and other functions is gradually reduced.

His family has said that his brain injury is severe and that "continuing full life support would not be in Possum's best interest."

Murray Brown, general manager of Possum Bourne Motor Sport has said that the life support is being gradually decreased but that his chances of survival are" virtually nil". He added "How long Possum is able to hold on is something that no one knows. It's anyone's guess,"

The 47-year-old Kiwi suffered terrible head, chest and leg injuries on April 18 when he was involved in a head-on collision with another competitor as they recced the route for the Race for the Sky hillclimb outside Queenstown in their road cars. Possum was transferred to hospital in Dunedin, where he has remained in an induced coma in intensive care ever since.

Peter "Possum" Bourne is the most popular rally driver in his native New Zealand after winning numerous national titles both there and in Australia. Synonymous the reigning Australian champion is with Subaru as his career has been spent almost at the wheel of these Japanese cars. Winning the Asia-Pacific Rally crown three times remains a career highlight. (Autosport site)

Very sad news.

This is just awful news :(

He will be missed, far and wide, all over the globe.

At least he is at home (NZ) and can now rest in peace.

Just heard on 10 news that Possum passed away a short time ago. What more can you say, agian our thoughts and prayers at this time are with his wife and children.

R.I.P
Possum

This is just tragic news. This has been a terrible time for motorsport in general in the past few weeks...

=;..(

so sad - condolances to the family

i had hope...

motorsport has had a ruff time of it this year - first barry shean, then daijiro kato now possum

sad news - saw possum win rally of melbourne at the yarra glen winneries last year..... a great man!

:( Sadly its offical,he has passed away in the early hours this morning.A truely sad event for motorsport.He is a legend in NZ and a really great guy.

Possum Bourne Dies
30/04/2003 06:46 AM
IRN

New Zealand's ace rally driver Possum Bourne has died.

The rally driver passed away in Dunedin Hospital just before 1am.

Bourne had been suffering massive head injuries after a head-on crash while he was checking out the Race to the Sky course in Wanaka on Good Friday.

Doctors had removed him from life support after advising his family that continuing the treatment was not in his best interests.

He is survived by his wife Peggy and his three children.

Peter "Possum" Bourne was New Zealand's most successful rally driver having won a record 7 Australian Rally titles.

Possum Bourne Dies
30/04/2003 06:46 AM
IRN

New Zealand's ace rally driver Possum Bourne has died.

The rally driver passed away in Dunedin Hospital just before 1am.

Bourne had been suffering massive head injuries after a head-on crash while he was checking out the Race to the Sky course in Wanaka on Good Friday.

Doctors had removed him from life support after advising his family that continuing the treatment was not in his best interests.

He is survived by his wife Peggy and his three children.

Peter "Possum" Bourne was New Zealand's most successful rally driver having won a record 7 Australian Rally titles.

Very sad news :(

RIP

Godspeed Possum.

http://www.rally.com.au/content/photos/images/ACFFEE.jpg

Godspeed Possum.

http://www.rally.com.au/content/photos/images/ACFFEE.jpg

This is awful news. I know it was looking bleak for him but nothing can ever prepare you for hearing such news. All my thoughts are with Possums family and friends and rest in peace Possum.

Woke to hear this today. What a damm shame, Possum was an excellent driver and its hard to believe he's gone.This year he was attempting to do both the Aussie and Group N WRC championship which would have been an incredible achievement. RIP.

RIP Possum - you will be sorely missed. A sad day Indeed

Very sad. Possum was a great driver who always approached the sport with enthusiasm and character. I remember the Rally New Zealand of 1999.....he shocked everyone by leading much of the first day in a private car ahead of the likes of Kankunnen, Makinen and Sainz. He fought back to finish fifth if I remember rightly.

But the fact that even this season, at 47, he was still competing, still winning, and still as popular as ever speaks volumes. So long Possum. :(

I only saw him drive on the TV a few times, but pure class always shines.

RIP Possum

Possum Bourne passed away this morning (NZ time) and will be sorely missed by the entire New Zealand motor-racing community especially those involved in New Zealand rallying.

Possum claimed 3 Asia-Pacific and 7 Australian Rally Championships and was just starting a career in the World Rally Production Class Championship.

He is a legendary figure for New Zealand motorsport and is remembered for his eternal smile and positive attitude to life.

Thanks for loads of fantastic memories Possum.

From the team at Pacific Motorsport.

Farewell Possum , thanks for the memories , you were not only a champion but a gentlemen and a pillar of society.

Sometimes its hard to accept why things happen and this is one of those times , I simply cant believe that Possum has gone.
I dont know why but some deaths in this sport that we love hit me hard and some dont (I know that shouldnt be the case but its I cant help the way I feel) this tragedy is one of those times, I sit here typing with a heavy heart trying to make sense of why and how this could of happened.

I have a second browser open and am viewing Possums website http://www.possumbourne.co.nz/index.html just flicking through looking at pictures and spending some time just remembering Possum and his fantastic achievements.

its with a very sad heart that I say farewell to this champion and my condolences go out to his family and the entire Subaru Rally team.

RIP Possum I hope its nice wherever you are.

Farewell Possum. You were a true gentleman and a fantastic driver. You made the Australian Rally Championship what it is today. To his family and colleges my deepest symphathy to all of you.
RIP POSSUM

Wednesday 30 April, 2003


Statement by Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia


Following is a statement from Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia, issued at Dunedin Hospital today on behalf of Possum Bourne's family:


Possum Bourne, New Zealand's most successful rally driver died peacefully surrounded by his wife Peggy and their family in Dunedin Hospital at 12.58 am (NZ time) today, Wednesday 30 April.


Possum never regained consciousness after being involved in a traffic accident on the Snow Farm Rd in the Cardrona Valley near Lake Wanaka in Central Otago on Good Friday, April 18.


He was air lifted from the crash site with head injuries and two broken legs to Dunedin Hospital where he remained in the Intensive Care Unit in an induced coma ever since.


Possum's wife Peggy, his mother, two sisters, brother, other close family members and friends have maintained a 24 hour bedside vigil over the past 12 days.


Possum's medical condition has been monitored constantly, including several CT Scans.


In the accident he suffered a rotational head injury, resulting in diffuse axonal injury, and over the week developed multiple areas of brain infarction.


Following a series of neurological tests and the latest scan a decision was made in the best interests of Possum to withdraw the life support system gradually from Monday afternoon.


On behalf of Possum's family I would like to thank the staff at Dunedin Hospital for all the care they have lavished on Possum.


The family would also like to acknowledge the thousands of emails, faxes, cards, flowers and other messages of support they have received over the last 12 days.


At this time the family does not wish to make any personal statements and I would ask you respect their position and not intrude in their time of grief.


Possum is survived by his wife Peggy and three children, Taylor (8), Spencer (4) and Jazlin (3).


Funeral details will be announced at a later date.


Possum was a great man. A great sportsman and New Zealander. A great son, brother, husband and father. His spirit and memory will live on.

Wednesday 30 April, 2003


Statement by Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia


Following is a statement from Nick Senior, General Manager, Subaru Australia, issued at Dunedin Hospital today on behalf of Possum Bourne's family:


Possum Bourne, New Zealand's most successful rally driver died peacefully surrounded by his wife Peggy and their family in Dunedin Hospital at 12.58 am (NZ time) today, Wednesday 30 April.


Possum never regained consciousness after being involved in a traffic accident on the Snow Farm Rd in the Cardrona Valley near Lake Wanaka in Central Otago on Good Friday, April 18.


He was air lifted from the crash site with head injuries and two broken legs to Dunedin Hospital where he remained in the Intensive Care Unit in an induced coma ever since.


Possum's wife Peggy, his mother, two sisters, brother, other close family members and friends have maintained a 24 hour bedside vigil over the past 12 days.


Possum's medical condition has been monitored constantly, including several CT Scans.


In the accident he suffered a rotational head injury, resulting in diffuse axonal injury, and over the week developed multiple areas of brain infarction.


Following a series of neurological tests and the latest scan a decision was made in the best interests of Possum to withdraw the life support system gradually from Monday afternoon.


On behalf of Possum's family I would like to thank the staff at Dunedin Hospital for all the care they have lavished on Possum.


The family would also like to acknowledge the thousands of emails, faxes, cards, flowers and other messages of support they have received over the last 12 days.


At this time the family does not wish to make any personal statements and I would ask you respect their position and not intrude in their time of grief.


Possum is survived by his wife Peggy and three children, Taylor (8), Spencer (4) and Jazlin (3).


Funeral details will be announced at a later date.


Possum was a great man. A great sportsman and New Zealander. A great son, brother, husband and father. His spirit and memory will live on.

Hi All

Subaru New Zealand has set up a web page for people to visit and leave tributes to Possum:

www.possumtribute.co.nz

This is very sad. I did not see him rally, only on TV, he came over as a tremendous person. RIP

It's the worst news i've had in years. Hit's home harder when it's a fellow Kiwi, who's a racing Champion, which us Kiwi's don't have too many of.


BUT what has really slutted me was Channel Ten's reporting his death hours TOO early. It's unforgivable in my opinion, and i'll be following it up with them. Can you imagine how you would feel if it was one of your family members or friends?

Un-bloody-believable!!!!

http://www.possumtribute.co.nz/index.html?&offset=10

Terribly sad news. Another fine talent has been lost to the sport.

RIP Possum.

:( He was an awesome driver, and the Australian Rally Championship will be really missing something without him, RIP Possum.

Still quite difficult to believe. He made such an impact on both the New Zealand and Australian rally scene. I remember watching the Rally of New Zealand in the early 1980's when it still had all the good special stages and seeing Possum - back in the days when Subaru didn't have a high profile in rallying.

This year, his longstanding loyalty to Subaru rewardard him with a drive in the international Group N Championship. Sadly, that is one title he will never be able to add to his numerous Australian and Asia-Pacific championships.

RIP

As I have already written in the "Rallying" Forum :
I FEEL GREATLY DEPRIVED.
Possum lives on warmly in my memory.

My deepest sympathy for his family.

He's one of the few successful professional motorsports driver that i've come across personally, and he is a really sweet chap. It's a shock to learn of what had happened, and it is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with his family.

I feel very sad at the loss of Possum Bourne from the NZ and Australian motorsport community and the deepest sympathy for his wife and 3 children.
I have been going to the NZ rally for the past 10 years and you could always guarantee that the loudest cheers from the crowd were always reserved for Possum as he charged away in an inferior car with a fraction of the budget chasing the WRC cars home.
He is a legend
A photo I took of possum that I'm very fond of, in 1999 at Doctor's Hill rd in Maungaturoto the year he really took it to the WRC stars

That's a great photo, tanalised. One of the ways to remember Poss - a shot of him doing what he did best.

RIP Possum. :(

I can't believe he died from an accident at 60 kilometres an hour ! OK, the combined speed of the two would make this around 120K, but when you consider the speed he travels at in competition, I find this rather hard to believe. Obviosly you also need to factor in he mightn't have been wearing a helmet, nor in a competition car with a roll cage and added protection etc etc but it just seems incredibly difficult to comprehend.

sad news indeed, his passing will be a loss to rallying

Very sad news about Possum. Never met him nor saw him in action but he was a very good driver and seemed a decent bloke to boot.

Originally posted by Alan Jones
I can't believe he died from an accident at 60 kilometres an hour ! it just seems incredibly difficult to comprehend.

I won't comment fully because I don't know the full circumstances, but it is a sad reminder that road accidents appear very hard to survive, particularly compared with accidents on the track or stages.

Possum you were a great man and you are going to be missed deeply. You will leave a really big hole in the Rally sports.

A great man, who achieved so much in such a sort time, will always be remembered. Condolensces to his friends and family.

A tribute from twelve thousand miles away -

Possum, you were one of the Subaru greats, supported by rally fans worldwide. I will truly miss looking out for you on the Network-Q. I'm pretty sure God drives a Subaru, so you're amongst friends.

My sincerest condolences to Possum's wife and kids - may the wishes of all those who have paid tribute help you pull through.

Not again, this is just starting to look like 1985 or 1986...

RIP Possum...

A Champion Driver and A Champion Man. Sadly missed. RIP Possum.

Nothing more I can add.

Possum was a truly likeable fellow. Aussies don't usually say too many nice things about Kiwis, but if you couldn't say something nice about Possum, you must never have heard of him.

A truly nice fellow, and a damn good driver. You will be sorely missed.

Condolences to all who knew Peter 'Possum' Bourne. RIP.

More sad news. Very sorry to read of yet another great being taken away from us. My condolences to Possum's family and friends.