Sir Stirling Moss was the unfortunate victim of a freak accident at his home in London's Mayfair over the weekend. Generally regarded as the greatest Formula 1 racing driver never to have won the World Championship, the 80-year-old was injured in a malfunctioning lift accident and is expected to take up to six weeks to fully recover.

Having made his first public appearance of the year at Birmingham's Autosport show in January, former championship runner-up Moss was hospitalised this weekend when the doors on his home lift opened before the lift had reached the floor in question, with the Englishman then falling three floors down as a result.

'The accident occurred as a consequence of falling down three floors in the lift shaft at his home,' an official press release reads on Monday. 'The door to the lift, that should have remained locked if the lift was not on the floor that it was called from, opened in error. He stepped into the narrow open shaft in the expectation that the lift would be present for him to walk into as it should have been.'

Moss opens the Autosport show at Birmingham's NEC in January
Despite the fall, 'Mr. Motor Racing' thankfully damaged no internal organs but has broken both ankles plus suffering four broken bones in the foot, skin aberrations and four chipped vertebrae.

Having remained conscious before being admitted to the Royal London Hospital, Moss was then moved into the care of former F1 doctor Professor Sid Watkins at Princess Grace Hospital and underwent surgery on both ankles, which have now been plated and pinned.

"This was a very unfortunate accident," explained Lady Moss, wife of Stirling. "It could have just as easily been another member of the family stepping into where the lift should have been." The statement concludes: 'The family would like to thank everyone, on behalf of Stirling, for their messages of support.'

Just thought I'd put this out there to help send more wishes of a speedy recovery to him from teamspeed.

 

At 80 years old, he falls three floors down an elevator shaft, remains conscious, and is expected to recover in about the same time it takes to recover from an uncomplicated C-section?

Tough. Old. Bastard.

 

Shame, I was hoping it would be from drifting a lawnmower. Anyways hope he gets better soon.

 

Saw that all over the F1 news feeds this am. Crazy that he survived and will recover so quickly!

 

Wow Crazy!! At least he only has minor injuries.

I made this thread a while back with all the gadgets in his house...

http://www.teamspeed.com/forums/off-...e-gadgets.html

 

Sterling Moss. Even his name is bad ass.

 

What a tough guy... They don't make 'em like they used to.

Wish him a speedy recovery!

No kidding, if I even considered naming my kid that I'd have to take a step back and tell myself I'm not Chuck Norris so the blood isn't right.

 

God that is a terrible fall. Glad to hear he will recover. 80 years old, 3 stories. Tough mofo.

 

Wish you a speedy recovery young Sir Stirling Moss

 

Neg rep to all of you schmeckelheads who keep misspelling his name.