Death of Ayrton Senna - Revision history

Red marquis: /* Accident analysis */

2009-06-05T09:38:40Z

Accident analysis

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	The irony of the on board video available from Senna's car is that the final seconds of footage are missing. The approximately 1.5 seconds of remaining video which would have provided a definite answer as to the cause of Senna's death were lost in an act of astounding coincidence when the TV race director decided to switch camera signals at the very instant the [[Williams FW16\|Williams]] started to leave the track.		The irony of the on board video available from Senna's car is that the final seconds of footage are missing. The approximately 1.5 seconds of remaining video which would have provided a definite answer as to the cause of Senna's death were lost in an act of astounding coincidence when the TV race director decided to switch camera signals at the very instant the [[Williams FW16\|Williams]] started to leave the track.

	Perhaps unsurprisingly, numerous rumours abound that the remaining 1.5 seconds are not lost and reportedly show Senna's [[Steering wheel#Other designs\|steering wheel]] clearly coming off in his hands as his car is leaving the track. In addition to this, the video shown in the Court Room on [[May 14~~]] [[~~1997]] stopped 0.9 seconds before the impact <ref>[http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/picsf07.html The Ayrton Senna Files: #7, the Last Shot]</ref>, causing numerous questions. Although allegations exist that this video has been seen by a number of people at the top level of motorsport, there is no evidence to support its existence.		Perhaps unsurprisingly, numerous rumours abound that the remaining 1.5 seconds are not lost and reportedly show Senna's [[Steering wheel#Other designs\|steering wheel]] clearly coming off in his hands as his car is leaving the track. In addition to this, the video shown in the Court Room on May 14 1997 stopped 0.9 seconds before the impact <ref>[http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/picsf07.html The Ayrton Senna Files: #7, the Last Shot]</ref>, causing numerous questions. Although allegations exist that this video has been seen by a number of people at the top level of motorsport, there is no evidence to support its existence.

	The Williams team was entangled for many years in a court case with the Italian prosecutors over manslaughter charges, but they were found not guilty and no action was taken against Williams. In 2004, the case was re-opened, but closed again in 2005 when there was no new evidence.		The Williams team was entangled for many years in a court case with the Italian prosecutors over manslaughter charges, but they were found not guilty and no action was taken against Williams. In 2004, the case was re-opened, but closed again in 2005 when there was no new evidence.
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	At the conclusion of the Italian trial, Senna's FW16, chassis number 02, was returned to the Williams team. The team reported that the car was in an advanced state of deterioration and was subsequently destroyed. The car's engine was returned to Renault, and its fate is unknown.<ref>Tom Rubython, "Life of Senna", chapter 33, "The Trial", pg.473.</ref>		At the conclusion of the Italian trial, Senna's FW16, chassis number 02, was returned to the Williams team. The team reported that the car was in an advanced state of deterioration and was subsequently destroyed. The car's engine was returned to Renault, and its fate is unknown.<ref>Tom Rubython, "Life of Senna", chapter 33, "The Trial", pg.473.</ref>

	His death was considered by many of his Brazilian fans to be a national tragedy, and the Brazilian government declared three days of national mourning. More than 1 million persons followed Senna's burial in [[São Paulo]]. Senna is buried at the [[Cemitério do Morumbi]] in his hometown of [[São Paulo]].		His death was considered by many of his Brazilian fans to be a national tragedy, and the Brazilian government declared three days of national mourning. More than 1 million persons followed Senna's burial in São Paulo. Senna is buried at the Cemitério do Morumbi in his hometown of São Paulo.

	==Legacy==		==Legacy==

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2009-06-05T09:37:54Z

Accident analysis

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	==Accident analysis==		==Accident analysis==
	~~{{Refimprovesect\|date=July 2008}}~~
	~~{{OR-section\|date=February 2009}}~~		In 2004, a television documentary by National Geographic called '' Seismic Seconds: The Death of Ayrton Senna'' was screened worldwide. The program considered the available data from Senna's car to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash. The program concluded that an unusually long [[safety car]] period had reduced the pressures in Senna's tyres, thereby lowering the car. As the car entered the Tamburello bend, the skid-plate on the bottom of the car connected with the ground, rendering the car's steering and lateral grip useless. Senna reacted with lightning-fast reflexes, but as the car passed over the bump and regained grip the steering wheel now was in a right-lock corrective position, the car effectively drove off the circuit.
	In 2004, a television documentary by [[National Geographic]] called '' Seismic Seconds: The Death of Ayrton Senna'' was screened worldwide. The program considered the available data from Senna's car to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash. The program concluded that an unusually long [[safety car]] period had reduced the pressures in Senna's tyres, thereby lowering the car. As the car entered the Tamburello bend, the skid-plate on the bottom of the car connected with the ground, rendering the car's steering and lateral grip useless. Senna reacted with lightning-fast reflexes, but as the car passed over the bump and regained grip the steering wheel now was in a right-lock corrective position, the car effectively drove off the circuit.

	To many within the F1 world including some drivers of that era who had raced at Imola, the conclusions drawn from low tyre pressure as a cause of the accident seem implausible. Telemetry recorded that Senna took the bend at 306 [[km/h]] (190 [[mph]]) on lap 6 with cold tyres. The information released in the trial stated that Senna started the race with 86 litres of fuel and had planned a two stop race strategy, one fewer than Schumacher, who started the race lighter on a 3 stop strategy. The theory that low [[Cold inflation pressure\|tyre pressure]] caused the crash was defeated in court when Stefano Stefanini, head of Bologna's traffic accident unit, testified that Senna, with a heavier car than [[Michael Schumacher]] and [[Damon Hill]], recorded a time of 1.24.887 on the sixth lap, Senna's only lap at race speed and the 3rd fastest lap of the race. [[Michele Alboreto]] and other drivers of the era claimed that given Senna's lap time, his tyres would have been at race temperature by the 7th lap and could not have been a factor in the crash.		To many within the F1 world including some drivers of that era who had raced at Imola, the conclusions drawn from low tyre pressure as a cause of the accident seem implausible. Telemetry recorded that Senna took the bend at 306 [[km/h]] (190 [[mph]]) on lap 6 with cold tyres. The information released in the trial stated that Senna started the race with 86 litres of fuel and had planned a two stop race strategy, one fewer than Schumacher, who started the race lighter on a 3 stop strategy. The theory that low [[Cold inflation pressure\|tyre pressure]] caused the crash was defeated in court when Stefano Stefanini, head of Bologna's traffic accident unit, testified that Senna, with a heavier car than [[Michael Schumacher]] and [[Damon Hill]], recorded a time of 1.24.887 on the sixth lap, Senna's only lap at race speed and the 3rd fastest lap of the race. [[Michele Alboreto]] and other drivers of the era claimed that given Senna's lap time, his tyres would have been at race temperature by the 7th lap and could not have been a factor in the crash.

Red marquis: /* Autopsy */

2009-06-05T09:36:33Z

Autopsy

Red marquis: /* Accident */

2009-06-05T09:34:02Z

Accident

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	Although the crash seemed benign, it was immediately evident that Senna had suffered some form of injury because of the manner in which his helmet was seen to be motionless and leaning slightly to the side. In the seconds that followed his head was seen to move to one side slightly causing false hopes to be raised. A long time seemed to go by before medical units came to his aid, with fire marshals having arrived at the car and unable to touch Senna before qualified medical personnel arrived. Television coverage from an overhead helicopter was seen around the world, as rescue workers gave medical attention. Close inspection of the area in which the medical staff treated Senna revealed a considerable amount of blood on the ground. The race was stopped 1 min. 9 seconds after Senna's crash.		Although the crash seemed benign, it was immediately evident that Senna had suffered some form of injury because of the manner in which his helmet was seen to be motionless and leaning slightly to the side. In the seconds that followed his head was seen to move to one side slightly causing false hopes to be raised. A long time seemed to go by before medical units came to his aid, with fire marshals having arrived at the car and unable to touch Senna before qualified medical personnel arrived. Television coverage from an overhead helicopter was seen around the world, as rescue workers gave medical attention. Close inspection of the area in which the medical staff treated Senna revealed a considerable amount of blood on the ground. The race was stopped 1 min. 9 seconds after Senna's crash.

	Approximately 10 minutes after Senna's crash, a miscommunication in the pits caused a [[Larrousse]] car piloted by [[Érik Comas]] to leave the pit lane and attempt to rejoin the now [[Racing flags#The red flag\|red flagged]] Grand Prix. That incident with Comas was spotted by Eurosport Commentator [[John Watson (racing driver)\|John Watson]] as the "most ridiculous incident I ever saw at any time in my life". Frantic waving by the marshals at Senna's crash site prevented the Larrousse from risking a collision with the medical helicopter that had landed on the track. Professor [[Sid Watkins\|Sidney Watkins]], a world-renowned [[neurosurgeon]] and [[Formula One]] Safety Delegate and Medical Delegate, head of the [[Formula One]] on-track medical team, who performed an on-site tracheotomy on Ayrton Senna, reported:		Approximately 10 minutes after Senna's crash, a miscommunication in the pits caused a [[Larrousse]] car piloted by [[Érik Comas]] to leave the pit lane and attempt to rejoin the now [[Racing flags#The red flag\|red flagged]] Grand Prix. That incident with Comas was spotted by Eurosport Commentator [[John Watson (racing driver)\|John Watson]] as the "most ridiculous incident I ever saw at any time in my life". Frantic waving by the marshals at Senna's crash site prevented the Larrousse from risking a collision with the medical helicopter that had landed on the track. Professor [[Sid Watkins\|Sidney Watkins]], a world-renowned neurosurgeon and [[Formula One]] Safety Delegate and Medical Delegate, head of the [[Formula One]] on-track medical team, who performed an on-site tracheotomy on Ayrton Senna, reported:

	<blockquote>He looked serene. I raised his eyelids and it was clear from his pupils that he had a massive brain injury. We lifted him from the cockpit and laid him on the ground. As we did, he sighed and, although I am totally agnostic, I felt his soul depart at that moment.<ref>{{cite book		<blockquote>He looked serene. I raised his eyelids and it was clear from his pupils that he had a massive brain injury. We lifted him from the cockpit and laid him on the ground. As we did, he sighed and, although I am totally agnostic, I felt his soul depart at that moment.<ref>{{cite book

Red marquis: /* Accident */

2009-06-05T09:33:40Z

Accident

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	On Sunday, [[Pedro Lamy]] and [[JJ Lehto]] were involved in a starting-line accident. Track officials deployed the [[safety car]] to slow down the field and allow the debris from the starting accident to be removed. The cars proceeded under the safety car for 5 laps.		On Sunday, [[Pedro Lamy]] and [[JJ Lehto]] were involved in a starting-line accident. Track officials deployed the [[safety car]] to slow down the field and allow the debris from the starting accident to be removed. The cars proceeded under the safety car for 5 laps.

	On lap 7, from the onboard camera of [[Michael Schumacher]]'s Benetton, Senna's car was seen to break traction twice at the rear, go off the track at Tamburello corner and strike an unprotected concrete barrier. [[Telemetry]] shows he left the track at ~~{{convert\|~~310\|km/h~~\|mph\|abbr=on}}~~ and was able to slow the car down to ~~{{convert\|~~218\|km/h~~\|mph\|abbr=on}}~~ in slightly under 2 seconds before hitting the wall.		On lap 7, from the onboard camera of [[Michael Schumacher]]'s Benetton, Senna's car was seen to break traction twice at the rear, go off the track at Tamburello corner and strike an unprotected concrete barrier. [[Telemetry]] shows he left the track at 310 km/h and was able to slow the car down to 218 km/h in slightly under 2 seconds before hitting the wall.

	After Senna's car came to a halt, he remained motionless in the cockpit. Although the car had suffered a high speed impact with the wall, the accident did not have the typical hallmark of an especially devastating racing crash. The car simply seemed to [[understeer]] strongly off the track, hit the wall at a shallow angle, tearing off the right front wheel and nosecone, lift slightly with the nose as it straightened, and spin mildly to a halt.		After Senna's car came to a halt, he remained motionless in the cockpit. Although the car had suffered a high speed impact with the wall, the accident did not have the typical hallmark of an especially devastating racing crash. The car simply seemed to [[understeer]] strongly off the track, hit the wall at a shallow angle, tearing off the right front wheel and nosecone, lift slightly with the nose as it straightened, and spin mildly to a halt.
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	Although the crash seemed benign, it was immediately evident that Senna had suffered some form of injury because of the manner in which his helmet was seen to be motionless and leaning slightly to the side. In the seconds that followed his head was seen to move to one side slightly causing false hopes to be raised. A long time seemed to go by before medical units came to his aid, with fire marshals having arrived at the car and unable to touch Senna before qualified medical personnel arrived. Television coverage from an overhead helicopter was seen around the world, as rescue workers gave medical attention. Close inspection of the area in which the medical staff treated Senna revealed a considerable amount of blood on the ground. The race was stopped 1 min. 9 seconds after Senna's crash.		Although the crash seemed benign, it was immediately evident that Senna had suffered some form of injury because of the manner in which his helmet was seen to be motionless and leaning slightly to the side. In the seconds that followed his head was seen to move to one side slightly causing false hopes to be raised. A long time seemed to go by before medical units came to his aid, with fire marshals having arrived at the car and unable to touch Senna before qualified medical personnel arrived. Television coverage from an overhead helicopter was seen around the world, as rescue workers gave medical attention. Close inspection of the area in which the medical staff treated Senna revealed a considerable amount of blood on the ground. The race was stopped 1 min. 9 seconds after Senna's crash.

	Approximately 10 minutes after Senna's crash, a miscommunication in the pits caused a [[Larrousse]] car piloted by [[Érik Comas]] to leave the pit lane and attempt to rejoin the now [[Racing flags#The red flag\|red flagged]] Grand Prix. That incident with Comas was spotted by Eurosport Commentator [[John Watson (racing driver)\|John Watson]] as the "most ridiculous incident I ever saw at any time in my life". Frantic waving by the marshals at Senna's crash site prevented the Larrousse from risking a collision with the medical helicopter that had landed on the track. Professor [[Sid Watkins\|Sidney Watkins]], a world-renowned [[neurosurgeon]] and [[Formula One]] Safety Delegate and Medical Delegate, head of the [[Formula One]] on-track medical team, who performed an on-site [[tracheotomy]] on Ayrton Senna, reported:		Approximately 10 minutes after Senna's crash, a miscommunication in the pits caused a [[Larrousse]] car piloted by [[Érik Comas]] to leave the pit lane and attempt to rejoin the now [[Racing flags#The red flag\|red flagged]] Grand Prix. That incident with Comas was spotted by Eurosport Commentator [[John Watson (racing driver)\|John Watson]] as the "most ridiculous incident I ever saw at any time in my life". Frantic waving by the marshals at Senna's crash site prevented the Larrousse from risking a collision with the medical helicopter that had landed on the track. Professor [[Sid Watkins\|Sidney Watkins]], a world-renowned [[neurosurgeon]] and [[Formula One]] Safety Delegate and Medical Delegate, head of the [[Formula One]] on-track medical team, who performed an on-site tracheotomy on Ayrton Senna, reported:

	<blockquote>He looked serene. I raised his eyelids and it was clear from his pupils that he had a massive brain injury. We lifted him from the cockpit and laid him on the ground. As we did, he sighed and, although I am totally ~~[[agnosticism\|~~agnostic]], I felt his soul depart at that moment.<ref>{{cite book		<blockquote>He looked serene. I raised his eyelids and it was clear from his pupils that he had a massive brain injury. We lifted him from the cockpit and laid him on the ground. As we did, he sighed and, although I am totally agnostic, I felt his soul depart at that moment.<ref>{{cite book
	\| last = Watkins		\| last = Watkins
	\| first = Sid		\| first = Sid

Red marquis: /* Background */

2009-06-05T09:32:39Z

Background

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	==Background==		==Background==
	<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Senna accident.jpg\|frame\|Ayrton Senna's fatal accident at Imola at the moment of impact. The time of death would be recorded as the time of this accident, 2:17 pm local time.]] -->
	On [[May 1]], [[1994]], Senna took part in his third race for the [[WilliamsF1\|Williams]] team, the [[San Marino Grand Prix]] at the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari\|Imola circuit]]. Although he would not finish it, Senna started his final Formula One race from pole position.

	That weekend, he was particularly upset by two events. On Friday, during the afternoon qualifying session, Senna's [[protégé]], F1 newcomer [[Rubens Barrichello]], was involved in a serious accident that prevented him from competing in the race. On Saturday, the death of Austrian driver [[Roland Ratzenberger]] in qualifying, deeply upset Senna, reinforcing his safety concerns and made him consider retiring from the sport. Ironically, he spent his final morning meeting fellow drivers, determined after Ratzenberger's accident to take on a new responsibility to re-create the [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]], a Drivers' Safety group to increase safety in Formula One. As the most senior driver, he was offered to take the role of leader in this effort.		On May 1, 1994, Senna took part in his third race for the [[WilliamsF1\|Williams]] team, the [[San Marino Grand Prix]] at the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari\|Imola circuit]]. Although he would not finish it, Senna started his final Formula One race from pole position.

			That weekend, he was particularly upset by two events. On Friday, during the afternoon qualifying session, Senna's protégé, F1 newcomer [[Rubens Barrichello]], was involved in a serious accident that prevented him from competing in the race. On Saturday, the death of Austrian driver [[Roland Ratzenberger]] in qualifying, deeply upset Senna, reinforcing his safety concerns and made him consider retiring from the sport. Ironically, he spent his final morning meeting fellow drivers, determined after Ratzenberger's accident to take on a new responsibility to re-create the [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]], a Drivers' Safety group to increase safety in Formula One. As the most senior driver, he was offered to take the role of leader in this effort.

	==Accident==		==Accident==

Red marquis at 09:32, 5 June 2009

2009-06-05T09:32:11Z

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	The '''death of~~'''~~ [[Formula One]] triple world champion ~~'''~~[[Ayrton Senna]]''' resulted from a crash that occurred while he was leading the [[1994 San Marino Grand Prix]] at the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari]] in Italy. The accidents of Senna and [[Roland Ratzenberger]] were the first fatal accidents in Formula One in 12 years, and were the worst of several accidents to take place during the race meeting.		The '''death of [[Formula One]] triple world champion [[Ayrton Senna]]''' resulted from a crash that occurred while he was leading the [[1994 San Marino Grand Prix]] at the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari]] in Italy. The accidents of Senna and [[Roland Ratzenberger]] were the first fatal accidents in Formula One in 12 years, and were the worst of several accidents to take place during the race meeting.

	There have been many attempted explanations for the cause of his death, but no consensus has been reached. His death was a turning point in the safety of Formula One, as many safety measures have since been implemented. The [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]] was reformed later in {{f1\|1994}}, and the association has contributed to these changes.		There have been many attempted explanations for the cause of his death, but no consensus has been reached. His death was a turning point in the safety of Formula One, as many safety measures have since been implemented. The [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]] was reformed later in {{f1\|1994}}, and the association has contributed to these changes.

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	*List of Formula One fatal accidents		*List of Formula One fatal accidents
	*[[1994 San Marino Grand Prix]]		*[[1994 San Marino Grand Prix]]

	~~{{DEFAULTSORT:Senna, Ayrton}}~~
	~~[[Category:1994 in Formula One\|Death of Ayrton Senna]]~~
	~~[[Category:Conspiracy theories]]~~
	~~[[Category:Deaths by person]]~~
	~~[[Category:Filmed deaths in sports]]~~
	~~[[Category:Sport deaths in Italy]]~~

	~~[[pl:Wypadek Ayrtona Senny]]~~
	~~[[pt:A morte de Ayrton Senna]]~~

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	{{Refimprovesect\|date=July 2008}}		{{Refimprovesect\|date=July 2008}}
	{{OR-section\|date=February 2009}}		{{OR-section\|date=February 2009}}
	~~[[Image:GrandPrix Circuit San Marino Changes.svg\|thumb\|A map of the circuit, with the current track layout in red, and the 1994 layout differences in brown.]]~~
	In 2004, a television documentary by [[National Geographic]] called '' Seismic Seconds: The Death of Ayrton Senna'' was screened worldwide. The program considered the available data from Senna's car to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash. The program concluded that an unusually long [[safety car]] period had reduced the pressures in Senna's tyres, thereby lowering the car. As the car entered the Tamburello bend, the skid-plate on the bottom of the car connected with the ground, rendering the car's steering and lateral grip useless. Senna reacted with lightning-fast reflexes, but as the car passed over the bump and regained grip the steering wheel now was in a right-lock corrective position, the car effectively drove off the circuit.		In 2004, a television documentary by [[National Geographic]] called '' Seismic Seconds: The Death of Ayrton Senna'' was screened worldwide. The program considered the available data from Senna's car to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash. The program concluded that an unusually long [[safety car]] period had reduced the pressures in Senna's tyres, thereby lowering the car. As the car entered the Tamburello bend, the skid-plate on the bottom of the car connected with the ground, rendering the car's steering and lateral grip useless. Senna reacted with lightning-fast reflexes, but as the car passed over the bump and regained grip the steering wheel now was in a right-lock corrective position, the car effectively drove off the circuit.

211.30.131.50: /* Accident analysis */

2009-06-05T08:03:11Z

Accident analysis

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	There are other factors – Senna did not like the position of the steering column relative to his seating position and had repeatedly asked for it to be changed. At Imola Senna found himself in a car with his team's engineers struggling to cope and adapt to the ban of active suspension. [[Patrick Head]] and [[Adrian Newey]] agreed to Senna's request to lengthen the FW16's steering column, but there was no time to manufacture a longer steering shaft. The existing shaft was instead cut, extended by inserting a smaller diameter piece of tubing and welded together with reinforcing plates. Many surmise, based on comparing hours of onboard video footage from Brazil and Imola that the movement of the steering wheel during the race at Imola was completely abnormal. Senna on his final lap is seen turning the wheel left to full lock with no movement of the front wheels. Others have raised suspicion at what can clearly be seen on the onboard footage as Senna looking down at his steering wheel seconds before entering Tamburello.		There are other factors – Senna did not like the position of the steering column relative to his seating position and had repeatedly asked for it to be changed. At Imola Senna found himself in a car with his team's engineers struggling to cope and adapt to the ban of active suspension. [[Patrick Head]] and [[Adrian Newey]] agreed to Senna's request to lengthen the FW16's steering column, but there was no time to manufacture a longer steering shaft. The existing shaft was instead cut, extended by inserting a smaller diameter piece of tubing and welded together with reinforcing plates. Many surmise, based on comparing hours of onboard video footage from Brazil and Imola that the movement of the steering wheel during the race at Imola was completely abnormal. Senna on his final lap is seen turning the wheel left to full lock with no movement of the front wheels. Others have raised suspicion at what can clearly be seen on the onboard footage as Senna looking down at his steering wheel seconds before entering Tamburello.
	~~[[Image:Sennahelmet.JPG\|200px\|thumb\|right\|Senna's distinctive helmet]]~~
	The irony of the on board video available from Senna's car is that the final seconds of footage are missing. The approximately 1.5 seconds of remaining video which would have provided a definite answer as to the cause of Senna's death were lost in an act of astounding coincidence when the TV race director decided to switch camera signals at the very instant the [[Williams FW16\|Williams]] started to leave the track.		The irony of the on board video available from Senna's car is that the final seconds of footage are missing. The approximately 1.5 seconds of remaining video which would have provided a definite answer as to the cause of Senna's death were lost in an act of astounding coincidence when the TV race director decided to switch camera signals at the very instant the [[Williams FW16\|Williams]] started to leave the track.

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	==Autopsy==		==Autopsy==
	Senna was 34 years old at the time of his death. What had likely happened was that the right front wheel had shot up after impact like a catapult and entered the cockpit area where Senna was sitting.~~{{Fact\|date=October 2008}}~~ It struck the right frontal area of his helmet, and the violence of the wheel’s impact pushed his head back against the headrest, causing fatal skull fractures.~~{{Fact\|date=October 2008}}~~ A piece of upright attached to the wheel had partially penetrated his helmet and caused a trauma to his head.~~{{Fact\|date=October 2008}}~~ In addition, it appeared that a jagged piece of the upright assembly had penetrated the helmet visor just above his right eye.~~{{Fact\|date=October 2008}}~~ Any one of the three injuries would probably have killed him.<ref>[http://www.sportspromedia.com/senna.htm SportsPro: Sport's money magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>		Senna was 34 years old at the time of his death. What had likely happened was that the right front wheel had shot up after impact like a catapult and entered the cockpit area where Senna was sitting. It struck the right frontal area of his helmet, and the violence of the wheel’s impact pushed his head back against the headrest, causing fatal skull fractures. A piece of upright attached to the wheel had partially penetrated his helmet and caused a trauma to his head. In addition, it appeared that a jagged piece of the upright assembly had penetrated the helmet visor just above his right eye. Any one of the three injuries would probably have killed him.<ref>[http://www.sportspromedia.com/senna.htm SportsPro: Sport's money magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

	The [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile\|FIA]] and Italian authorities still maintain that Senna was not killed instantly, but rather died in hospital, to where he had been rushed by helicopter after an emergency [[tracheotomy]] and IV administration were performed on track. There is an ongoing debate as to why Senna was not declared dead at the track. Under Italian law when a person dies at a sporting event, that death must be investigated, causing the sporting event to be cancelled. The Director of the [[Oporto]] ([[Portugal]]) Legal Medicine Institute, Professor [[José Eduardo Pinto da Costa]], has stated the following:		The [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile\|FIA]] and Italian authorities still maintain that Senna was not killed instantly, but rather died in hospital, to where he had been rushed by helicopter after an emergency tracheotomy and IV administration were performed on track. There is an ongoing debate as to why Senna was not declared dead at the track. Under Italian law when a person dies at a sporting event, that death must be investigated, causing the sporting event to be cancelled. The Director of the Oporto (Portugal) Legal Medicine Institute, Professor José Eduardo Pinto da Costa, has stated the following:

	<blockquote>From the ethical viewpoint, the procedure used for Ayrton's body was wrong. It involved [[dysthanasia]], which means that a person has been kept alive improperly after biological death has taken place due to brain injuries so serious that the patient would never have been able to remain alive without mechanical means of support. There would have been no prospect of normal life and relationships. Whether or not Ayrton was removed from the car while his heart was beating or whether his supply of blood had halted or was still flowing, is irrelevant to the determination of when he died.		<blockquote>From the ethical viewpoint, the procedure used for Ayrton's body was wrong. It involved dysthanasia, which means that a person has been kept alive improperly after biological death has taken place due to brain injuries so serious that the patient would never have been able to remain alive without mechanical means of support. There would have been no prospect of normal life and relationships. Whether or not Ayrton was removed from the car while his heart was beating or whether his supply of blood had halted or was still flowing, is irrelevant to the determination of when he died.

	The [[autopsy]] showed that the crash caused multiple fractures at the base of the [[cranium]], crushing the forehead and rupturing the [[temporal artery]] with haemorrhage in the respiratory passages. It is possible to resuscitate a dead person immediately after the heart stops through cardio-respiratory processes. The procedure is known as putting the patient on the machine. From the medical-legal viewpoint, in Ayrton's case, there is a subtle point: resuscitation measures were implemented.		The autopsy showed that the crash caused multiple fractures at the base of the cranium, crushing the forehead and rupturing the temporal artery with haemorrhage in the respiratory passages. It is possible to resuscitate a dead person immediately after the heart stops through cardio-respiratory processes. The procedure is known as putting the patient on the machine. From the medical-legal viewpoint, in Ayrton's case, there is a subtle point: resuscitation measures were implemented.

	From the ethical point of view this might well be condemned because the measures were not intended to be of strictly medical benefit to the patient but rather because they suited the commercial interest of the organisation. Resuscitation did in fact take place, with the [[tracheotomy]] performed, while the activity of the heart was restored with the assistance of cardio-respiratory devices. The attitude in question was certainly controversial. Any physician would know there was no possibility whatsoever of successfully restoring life in the condition in which Senna had been found.<ref name = Sennafile>[http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/newsfle2.html Ayrton Senna : The Senna Files: Ayrton Senna trial news etc : NewSfile #2<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref></blockquote>		From the ethical point of view this might well be condemned because the measures were not intended to be of strictly medical benefit to the patient but rather because they suited the commercial interest of the organisation. Resuscitation did in fact take place, with the tracheotomy performed, while the activity of the heart was restored with the assistance of cardio-respiratory devices. The attitude in question was certainly controversial. Any physician would know there was no possibility whatsoever of successfully restoring life in the condition in which Senna had been found.<ref name = Sennafile>[http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/newsfle2.html Ayrton Senna : The Senna Files: Ayrton Senna trial news etc : NewSfile #2<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref></blockquote>

	Professor [[Jose Pratas Vital]], Director of the [[Egas Moniz hospital]] in Lisbon, a neurosurgeon and Head of the Medical Staff at the Portuguese GP, offers a different opinion:		Professor Jose Pratas Vital, Director of the Egas Moniz hospital in Lisbon, a neurosurgeon and Head of the Medical Staff at the Portuguese GP, offers a different opinion:

	<blockquote>The people who conducted the autopsy stated that, on the evidence of his injuries, Senna was dead. They could not say that. He had injuries which lead to his death, but at that point the heart may still have been functioning. Medical personnel attending an injured person, and who perceive that the heart is still beating, have only two courses of action: One is to ensure that the patient's respiratory passages remain free, which means that he can breathe. They had to carry out an emergency tracheotomy. With oxygen, and the heart beating, there is another concern, which is loss of blood. These are the steps to be followed in any case involving serious injury, whether on the street or on a racetrack. The rescue team can think of nothing else at that moment except to assist the patient, particularly by immobilising the cervical area. Then the injured person must be taken immediately to the intensive care unit of the nearest hospital.<ref name = Sennafile/></blockquote>		<blockquote>The people who conducted the autopsy stated that, on the evidence of his injuries, Senna was dead. They could not say that. He had injuries which lead to his death, but at that point the heart may still have been functioning. Medical personnel attending an injured person, and who perceive that the heart is still beating, have only two courses of action: One is to ensure that the patient's respiratory passages remain free, which means that he can breathe. They had to carry out an emergency tracheotomy. With oxygen, and the heart beating, there is another concern, which is loss of blood. These are the steps to be followed in any case involving serious injury, whether on the street or on a racetrack. The rescue team can think of nothing else at that moment except to assist the patient, particularly by immobilising the cervical area. Then the injured person must be taken immediately to the intensive care unit of the nearest hospital.<ref name = Sennafile/></blockquote>

	[[Rogério Morais Martins]] states that:		Rogério Morais Martins states that:

	<blockquote>According to the first clinical bulletin read by Dr. Maria Teresa Fiandri at 4.30 p.m. Ayrton Senna had [[brain damage]] with haemorrhaged shock and deep [[coma]]. However, the medical staff did not note any chest or abdomen wound. The [[haemorrhage]] was due to the rupture of the [[temporal artery]]. The neurosurgeon who examined Ayrton Senna at the hospital mentioned that the circumstances did not call for surgery because the wound was generalised in the cranium. At 6.05 p.m. Dr. Fiandri read another communiqué, her voice shaking, announcing that Senna was dead. At that stage he was still connected to the equipment that maintained his heartbeat.		<blockquote>According to the first clinical bulletin read by Dr. Maria Teresa Fiandri at 4.30 p.m. Ayrton Senna had brain damage with haemorrhaged shock and deep coma. However, the medical staff did not note any chest or abdomen wound. The haemorrhage was due to the rupture of the temporal artery. The neurosurgeon who examined Ayrton Senna at the hospital mentioned that the circumstances did not call for surgery because the wound was generalised in the cranium. At 6.05 p.m. Dr. Fiandri read another communiqué, her voice shaking, announcing that Senna was dead. At that stage he was still connected to the equipment that maintained his heartbeat.

	The release by the Italian authorities of the results of Ayrton Senna's autopsy, revealing that the driver had died instantaneously during the race at Imola, ignited still more controversy. Now there were questions about the reactions of the [[race director]] and the medical authorities. Although spokespersons for the hospital had stated that Senna was still breathing on arrival in [[Bologna]], the autopsy on Ratzenberger [who died the day before] indicated that death had been instantaneous. Under Italian law, a death within the confines of the circuit would have required the cancellation of the entire race meeting.		The release by the Italian authorities of the results of Ayrton Senna's autopsy, revealing that the driver had died instantaneously during the race at Imola, ignited still more controversy. Now there were questions about the reactions of the [[race director]] and the medical authorities. Although spokespersons for the hospital had stated that Senna was still breathing on arrival in Bologna, the autopsy on Ratzenberger [who died the day before] indicated that death had been instantaneous. Under Italian law, a death within the confines of the circuit would have required the cancellation of the entire race meeting.

	That, in turn, could have prevented Senna's death.		That, in turn, could have prevented Senna's death.
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	Medical experts are unable to state whether or not Ayrton Senna died instantaneously. Nevertheless, they were well aware that his chances of survival were slight. Had he remained alive, the brain damage would have left him severely handicapped. Accidents such as this are almost always fatal, with survivors suffering irreversible brain damage. This is due to the effects on the brain of sudden deceleration, which causes structural damage to the brain tissues. Estimates of the forces involved in Ayrton's accident suggest a rate of deceleration equivalent to a 30 metre vertical drop, landing head-first. Evidence offered at the autopsy revealed that the impact of this 208 km/h crash caused multiple injuries at the base of the cranium, resulting in respiratory insufficiency.		Medical experts are unable to state whether or not Ayrton Senna died instantaneously. Nevertheless, they were well aware that his chances of survival were slight. Had he remained alive, the brain damage would have left him severely handicapped. Accidents such as this are almost always fatal, with survivors suffering irreversible brain damage. This is due to the effects on the brain of sudden deceleration, which causes structural damage to the brain tissues. Estimates of the forces involved in Ayrton's accident suggest a rate of deceleration equivalent to a 30 metre vertical drop, landing head-first. Evidence offered at the autopsy revealed that the impact of this 208 km/h crash caused multiple injuries at the base of the cranium, resulting in respiratory insufficiency.

	There was crushing of the brain (which was forced against the wall of the cranium causing [[oedema]] and haemorrhage, increasing intra-cranial pressure and causing [[brain death]]), together with the rupture of the temporal artery, haemorrhage in the respiratory passages and the consequent [[heart failure]].		There was crushing of the brain (which was forced against the wall of the cranium causing oedema and haemorrhage, increasing intra-cranial pressure and causing brain death), together with the rupture of the temporal artery, haemorrhage in the respiratory passages and the consequent heart failure.

	There are two opposing theories on the issue of whether the drivers were still alive when they were put in the helicopters that carried them to hospital. Assuming both Ratzenberger and Senna had died instantaneously, the race organisers might have delayed any announcement in order to avoid being forced to cancel the meeting, thus protecting their financial interests.		There are two opposing theories on the issue of whether the drivers were still alive when they were put in the helicopters that carried them to hospital. Assuming both Ratzenberger and Senna had died instantaneously, the race organisers might have delayed any announcement in order to avoid being forced to cancel the meeting, thus protecting their financial interests.
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	Had the meeting been cancelled, [[Sagis]] - the organisation which administers the Imola circuit - stood to lose an estimated US$6.5 million.<ref name = Sennafile/></blockquote>		Had the meeting been cancelled, [[Sagis]] - the organisation which administers the Imola circuit - stood to lose an estimated US$6.5 million.<ref name = Sennafile/></blockquote>

	The FIA dismisses that allegation as an unfounded conspiracy theory.~~{{Fact\|date=October 2007}}~~		The FIA dismisses that allegation as an unfounded conspiracy theory.

	The FIA immediately investigated the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari]] in [[Imola]], and the track's signature Tamburello turn, was changed into a left-right [[chicane]].		The FIA immediately investigated the [[Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari]] in [[Imola]], and the track's signature Tamburello turn, was changed into a left-right [[chicane]].

	==Accident analysis==		==Accident analysis==