Man injured at Reno Air Races relives crash events
By Reno Gazette-Journal
1pm update: Ed Larson said he simply appreciates being alive after Friday’s crash at the National Championship Air Races that killed at least 9 people, including pilot Jimmy Leeward, whose plane slammed into the tarmac adjacent to VIP boxes.
Larson, 59, who splits time between Reno and San Diego, was sitting in Box 50 and talking to a friend with his back to his scene when they heard a sound from the crowd that indicated something was going wrong.
He saw the plane, the Galloping Ghost, a modified P-51 Mustang, coming down and started to run.
He said he was struck from behind with debris and temporarily knocked unconscious.
“A whole bunch of things hit me in the back,” said Larson during a press conference at Renown Regional Medical Center, from which he was being released on Sunday.
He suffered injuries to his head, and shrapnel also tore through his Achilles tendon and calf muscle.
“It was just meat hanging out and muscle,” he said.
He also suffered a dislocated shoulder.
He was transported to Renown via a helicopter.
Larson underwent successful surgery and was released on Sunday. He said his rehabilitation is expected to last two months.
“It just makes you appreciate to be alive,” he said of the experience.
