STONY PLAIN, AB. (July 12) – Bruce Broughton certainly had high hopes for the 2013 race season. Unfortunately the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series competitor will be watching the remainder of the season from the sidelines as the 44-year old suffered a heart attack on July 4th. The good news is that Broughton is now resting comfortably at home.
“This was a pretty big scare for me,” admits the 2010 NPP Late Model Series champion, “I’m pretty tired right now but I am up and moving around.”
The Stony Plain, Alberta driver was on holidays in Northern Alberta when the health emergency struck.
“There was a big storm coming in. I was outside moving lawn chairs so they wouldn’t blow away. I came back inside the trailer and then immediately fell to the floor.”
Broughton’s wife was with him.
“Allison was rock solid during this time. If it wasn’t for her I think the outcome would have been a lot different.”
Broughton was rushed to hospital in Barrhead, Alberta before being transported to Edmonton.
“They were going to fly me out [Stars Air Ambulance] but the weather was bad so they took me the long way [road].”
Broughton underwent emergency surgery in Edmonton.
“I was in intensive care for three days. They opened me up on Friday [July 5th] to see what kind of shape my heart was in. Doctors said I actually had a second heart attack when I was on the table.”
Ironically Broughton, who is a non-smoker and his family doctor talked about the potential for a heart attack when he was in for his annual checkup.
“I was in for my regular checkup about six weeks ago. My grandfather had heart problems in his sixties, my dad in his fifties. They say that it hits ten years earlier each generation. I guess they were right.”
Broughton had angioplasty and three stents inserted. Doctors say the prognosis looks good for a full recovery.
“I’m following doctors orders right now,” says Broughton, “I’ve parked myself for the season and I’m taking a few months off of work [LJB Auto – Spruce Grove].”
Broughton knows he won’t be behind the wheel of a race car for the foreseeable future.
“My biggest disappointment is not being able to race the end of this month [with the NASCAR drivers on July 31st]. I planned on winning that one. I will be in the pits though. You can count on that!”
Broughton would like to thank his fellow racers for their prayers and offered some timely advice.
“Be grateful for what you got. Life can be pretty short. Don’t take anything for granted and appreciate those you love.”
The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series wishes Bruce Broughton a speedy recovery.
From: Gord Craig/ NPP Series
BROUGHTON NPP SERIES STATS
79 – Race Starts
54 – Top 10’s
32 – Top 5’s
5 – Pole positions
8 – Feature Wins
42 – Heat Wins
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