Racing has its bad accidents, but this was more than a bad accident, it was catastrophic.
In practice Martin was on a seriously hot lap when several components failed as he came into the corner behind the pits. The car didn’t make the corner, plunged hard into the barriers (front left corner first). Behind Martin the seat pulled the front of the fuel tank off and Martin (still in the seat) punched through the right side of the cockpit with the front of the fuel tank attached to his back.
Flung into the middle of the track with one leg wrapped around his head no-one thought he would survive.
The accident happened literally behind the pits or more correctly behind the team motorhomes parked behind the pits. Standing there watching the practice was Horst Röger, a good friend of Gerhard Berger and ardent F1 enthusiast. Horst saw the accident and realised if there was any chance he would have to help Martin there and then, he was in there helping clear airways immediately. Not long after the F1 medical car with Sid Watkins arrived and the docs got stuck in.
Martin survived and whilst never racing in F1 again was able to race and teach racers as he still does. Several things had bearing on that day and Horst’s speedy intervention was one.
The incredible care at the hospital that took care of Martin in Spain in the first week after was another – revolutionary ways of fixing multiple injuries to legs being a speciality there, something that wasn’t so common in UK at the time.
Super lightweight radio speakers in Martin’s helmet was another thing that made the difference. (More on this in See pt 2)
Having the best F1 helmet of the era made another. (More on this in See pt 3)