Skoda's Dr. Pohlmann still in intensive care.

Dr Jens Pohlmann remains in intensive care in Cordoba's Hospital de Urgencias following yesterday's horrific accident during the Rally of Argentina. The 54 year-old German, Skoda Auto's Engineering Director with responsibility for motor sport, was struck by an out-of-control emergency vehicle.

The speeding truck, loaded with a full 5,000 litre water tank, then rolled over and smashed into both of Skoda Motorsport's two Octavia rally cars which were parked on a closed section of public road waiting to enter an official service park at Santa Rosa de Calamuchita.

It has been confirmed today (Sunday) that Dr Pohlmann has suffered a broken pelvis, five broken ribs and a broken shoulder bone as well as various internal traumas. His condition is described as serious but stable - he is conscious, has no neurological lesions and is undergoing lung drainage treatment plus traction to relocate his damaged pelvis.

It has also emerged that Skoda Motorsport driver Bruno Thiry and his co-driver Stephane Prevot both had very lucky escapes in the terrifying incident. They had been sitting inside their Octavia WRC when it was struck from the driver's side roof by the truck as it rolled over.

"I had only just got into the car five seconds earlier when I saw this huge truck flying in our direction and it all started to go dark," recalls the 38-year-old Belgian. "Luckily, as I had only just got in, I wasn't wearing my safety belts so I could instinctively duck down across the car and put my head on Stephane's legs. The car was then smashed sideways - the impact was so violent that it knocked the tyres off the wheel-rims. The top of the truck's cab struck the rear door while the huge water tank crashed down onto the bonnet. The strong safety cage certainly saved us.

"It was an unbelievable experience and one that I will remember for rest of my life. Although I'm very distressed about the injuries suffered by Dr Pohlmann, it is very fortunate for the sport that we were in a restricted area. Normally there are hundreds of people - mechanics, journalists, TV crews, fans - all crowded around our cars as we queue up at time controls like this. If that had been the case here, the consequences don't bear thinking about."

Skoda Motorsport is now examining the exact circumstances of yesterday's dramatic accident.

"At this time, our main concerns naturally are with Dr Pohlmann but it has been a major exercise for us to bring our Octavia WRCs to South America for the first time and to have both cars knocked out of the event in this incredible way is a bitter experience. We are currently helping the local police and the rally organisers with their enquiries and we will, of course, take whatever actions are appropriate to seek satisfactory compensation from whoever is found responsible," said Jiri Kotek, Skoda Motorsport's team co-ordinator.