By James Johnson

Last updated at 14:38, Tuesday, 15 May 2012

A young Cumbrian golf star was involved in a serious road crash north of Carlisle yesterday morning.

Seb Crookall-Nixon

Seb Crookall-Nixon’s season is now over after he sustained a broken collar bone and wrist in the collision.

But dad Jonathan, who was also in the car, said they are all lucky to be alive following the “terrifying” ordeal.

The 18-year-old England international, from Papcastle, near Cockermouth was a passenger in a new Audi TT his dad was test-driving.

One of the Audi salesmen was also in the car. He shattered bones in his arm.

It was in collision with a Volkswagen camper van on the A6071 at Blackbank at 10.30am.

“We hit the camper van sideways on, the car went up in the air, spun and landed about 15 yards away on the other side of the road. That was pretty terrifying,” said Jonathan, who escaped with minor injuries.

“Seb has a broken collar bone and wrist. He is sore, tender and quite shaken.

“His golf season is over that’s for sure. But to be honest we are lucky that everyone came out of it alive. It was one of those where you think we aren’t going to walk away from this. It was just carnage.”

Police and the Great North Air Ambulance attended the scene of the smash. The camper van was badly damaged but the occupants escaped without serious injury.

The driver of a Vauxhall Meriva, who saw the accident unfold, was said to be suffering from shock.

Seb – who recently returned from a high-profile tournament in the USA – was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for treatment.

He is due to see a specialist tomorrow.

His dad said England Golf have put them in touch with some experts in the hope of getting him back out on the course as soon as possible.

“The collar bone is a clean break so that should heal – it’s the wrist that could give him real problems.

“It’s a shame because his golf was just starting to go really well. He’d had two really good tournaments.

“We’re hoping he will be recovered by August, when he is due to go off to America to start a golf scholarship in San Francisco,” said Jonathan.

The road was reopened at around 12.15pm.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cumbria police on 101.

First published at 13:39, Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk