Porsche Test Driver Dies Testing Pre-Production 911

hanmust · 13th February 2009, 18:29

A 51-year-old died in Germany this morning following an accident involving a Porsche 911 cabrio prototype. The victim, a Porsche engineer, was driving the car on the A5 Autobahn when he lost control and slammed into a guard rail.

The one-car accident happened at 2:45am just past the Weiterstadt exit on the motorway. Photos of the scene show the sports car wedged under the barrier, with the rail making contact near where the driver's head and torso would have been.

A spokesman for Porsche said the engineer "was one of the most experienced test drivers." The company representative confirmed that the car was a camouflaged cabrio covered with foil to mask parts of the vehicle's appearance. He also noted that, although it did not rollover, the convertible does not have the same resilience as a coupe.

Police and fire department personnel responded to the scene from nearby Darmstadt. The public prosecutor there has taken charge of the ongoing investigation. The location of the accident was midway between Frankfurt and Heidelberg, in the German province of Hessen.

It is not yet known what caused the accident. Witnesses say the driver, who has worked for the German company for 25 years, was driving a prototype of a new Porsche 991 model at a high rate of speed. That stretch of road does not have a speed limit. He was being followed by a second Porsche testdriver in a camouflaged four-door Porsche Panamera prototype.

That driver successfully evaded the crash, and escaped unharmed. Although the accident did take place at an unusual hour, both drivers were working on a 10pm to 6am shift. An initial damage estimate is said to be several thousands of Euro.

Source: worldcarfans.com

Nikhilb2008 · 13th February 2009, 18:32

RIP one of the luckiest guys on this planet.

On a lighter note, I HAVe to say this. WHAT A WAY TO GO!

I would like to die like this. Crash a prototype Porsche at a zillion miles an hour on an unrestricted stretch of autobahn!

As Jeremy Clarkson says, you need to go through the pearly gates backwards on fire!!

hanmust · 13th February 2009, 18:33

two more photos failed to upload

Nikhilb2008 · 13th February 2009, 18:58

Oh man! He must have been doing close to 300 on that road.

speedzak · 13th February 2009, 18:58

No matter who, what you drive, how you drive, where you drive, when it's time, you've gotta go!
May his soul Rest In Peace!

Dippy · 13th February 2009, 19:15

Thats a real bad crash. The whole car is crushed under the railing. Very sad to see such an experienced driver go. RIP brother.

mohit · 13th February 2009, 19:24

Man this is bad! I am kindda surprised by the guard rail design though. Generally its designed to stop cars and not make then go under.

May he rest in peace. And may the driver following him have the strength to get over this. Looking at the pics, must be gruesome.

Jayabusa · 13th February 2009, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohit

Man this is bad! I am kindda surprised by the guard rail design though. Generally its designed to stop cars and not make then go under.

May he rest in peace. And may the driver following him have the strength to get over this. Looking at the pics, must be gruesome.

I agree with you Mohit, the guard rail should have been lower so that the bumper would have hit it avoiding the car from going under it at this kind of a speed.
May his soul Rest In Peace.

HappyWheels · 13th February 2009, 19:47

What a way to go! May his sould RIP! :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohit

Man this is bad! I am kindda surprised by the guard rail design though. Generally its designed to stop cars and not make then go under...

The height of the car is the reason why is went under. Too low! Darn! Maybe if it height, the engine bay might have absorbed the hit. Maybe... if...

white_vdi · 13th February 2009, 20:00

may his soul rest in peace!!
a truly unfortunate happening.

Torqy · 13th February 2009, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohit

Man this is bad! I am kindda surprised by the guard rail design though. Generally its designed to stop cars and not make then go under.

I don't think they bring the rails down as the cars go lower and lower.
This is where a BRICK like design helps.

-- Torqy

live2drive · 13th February 2009, 20:40

Oh my god! Thats Scary!
May his soul rest in peace.

Mpower · 13th February 2009, 22:52

The barrier looks wierd and dangerours..not the usual armco. Any car can get its roof chopped like a guillotine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

I would like to die like this. Crash a prototype Porsche at a zillion miles an hour on an unrestricted stretch of autobahn!

I am guessing that you are no more than 16 years old.

srishiva · 13th February 2009, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

The barrier looks wierd and dangerours..not the usual armco. Any car can get its roof chopped like a guillotine.

I am guessing that you are no more than 16 years old.

On a lighter note your signature indicates otherwise...

The guard rails look dangerous even for a normal height sedan.

Nitin · 13th February 2009, 23:16

So unfortunate! May his soul rest in peace!

13th February 2009, 18:29	#1
hanmust Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calicut Posts: 2,481 Thanked: 262 Times View My Garage	Porsche Test Driver Dies Testing Pre-Production 911 A 51-year-old died in Germany this morning following an accident involving a Porsche 911 cabrio prototype. The victim, a Porsche engineer, was driving the car on the A5 Autobahn when he lost control and slammed into a guard rail. The one-car accident happened at 2:45am just past the Weiterstadt exit on the motorway. Photos of the scene show the sports car wedged under the barrier, with the rail making contact near where the driver's head and torso would have been. A spokesman for Porsche said the engineer "was one of the most experienced test drivers." The company representative confirmed that the car was a camouflaged cabrio covered with foil to mask parts of the vehicle's appearance. He also noted that, although it did not rollover, the convertible does not have the same resilience as a coupe. Police and fire department personnel responded to the scene from nearby Darmstadt. The public prosecutor there has taken charge of the ongoing investigation. The location of the accident was midway between Frankfurt and Heidelberg, in the German province of Hessen. It is not yet known what caused the accident. Witnesses say the driver, who has worked for the German company for 25 years, was driving a prototype of a new Porsche 991 model at a high rate of speed. That stretch of road does not have a speed limit. He was being followed by a second Porsche testdriver in a camouflaged four-door Porsche Panamera prototype. That driver successfully evaded the crash, and escaped unharmed. Although the accident did take place at an unusual hour, both drivers were working on a 10pm to 6am shift. An initial damage estimate is said to be several thousands of Euro. Source: worldcarfans.com Attached Thumbnails Last edited by hanmust : 13th February 2009 at 18:31. Reason: forgot to mention source
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13th February 2009, 18:32	#2
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	RIP one of the luckiest guys on this planet. On a lighter note, I HAVe to say this. WHAT A WAY TO GO! I would like to die like this. Crash a prototype Porsche at a zillion miles an hour on an unrestricted stretch of autobahn! As Jeremy Clarkson says, you need to go through the pearly gates backwards on fire!!
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13th February 2009, 18:33	#3
hanmust Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calicut Posts: 2,481 Thanked: 262 Times View My Garage	two more photos failed to upload Attached Thumbnails
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13th February 2009, 18:58	#4
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	Oh man! He must have been doing close to 300 on that road.
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13th February 2009, 18:58	#5
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	No matter who, what you drive, how you drive, where you drive, when it's time, you've gotta go! May his soul Rest In Peace!
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13th February 2009, 19:15	#6
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,558 Thanked: 2,462 Times	Thats a real bad crash. The whole car is crushed under the railing. Very sad to see such an experienced driver go. RIP brother.
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13th February 2009, 19:24	#7
mohit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto / Kurukshetra Posts: 677 Thanked: 168 Times	Man this is bad! I am kindda surprised by the guard rail design though. Generally its designed to stop cars and not make then go under. May he rest in peace. And may the driver following him have the strength to get over this. Looking at the pics, must be gruesome.
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13th February 2009, 20:00	#10
white_vdi BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: new delhi Posts: 857 Thanked: 38 Times View My Garage	may his soul rest in peace!! a truly unfortunate happening.
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13th February 2009, 20:40	#12
live2drive BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 525 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Oh my god! Thats Scary! May his soul rest in peace.
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13th February 2009, 23:16	#15
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	So unfortunate! May his soul rest in peace!
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