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WRC Germany: Lefebvre/Moreau 'fortunate' to escape terrifying crash

Stephane Lefebvre and co-driver Gabin Moreau feel fortunate not to have been more seriously hurt in their horrific crash on Rally Germany

Both remain in hospital after suffering what the organisers of this weekend's World Rally Championship round described as "fractures and internal injuries" when their PH Sport Citroen crashed into trees at high speed following an impact with a row of hinkelsteins on the famous Panzerplatte stage.

Autosport understands Lefebvre suffered a punctured lung and broken rib, while Moreau revealed on Sunday morning that he had a broken right foot, fractured right tibia, broken left hand, damaged collarbone and cracked vertebra.

"When you look at the state of the car, I feel pretty fortunate," said Moreau.

"The survival cell and the various items of equipment did their job, especially the reinforced sections which are not mandatory, but which were added to improve safety for the crew."

Lefebvre added: "Like Gabin, I think we were well protected by the car.

"You can never control the outside environment in rallying and on this occasion, we paid a fairly heavy penalty for going off."

He said the incident began by simply running wide.

"I can remember the whole thing very clearly," Lefebvre said.

"I had noted a right-hand turn with a corner that could be cut.

"Given the marks left by the other competitors, I had turned in slightly early but the car drifted onto the outside of the corner and we hit a row of hinkelsteins.

"The last rock turned the car around and sent it flying into the trees."

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Lefebvre has been told by doctors he could potentially return home to France at the start of the coming week if his recovery begins well, but he admitted there was a chance he could miss his home WRC round in Corsica in six weeks.

"We're going to need some time to get back on our feet," he said.

"The only thing that is really getting to me is the fact I might not be able to take part in the Tour de Corse."

Moreau has already undergone surgery on his fractured leg.

"It's going to take a bit of time for the fractures to heal, but I'm determined to recover as quickly as possible," he said.

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