Motorsport: IndyCar's Robert Wickens undergoes successful first surgery after horror crash

IndyCar driver Robert Wickens has undergone spinal surgery to repair a thoracic spinal fracture sustained after a horror crash at Pocono Raceway.

IndyCar said the 29-year-old Canadian rookie's surgery was successful in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.

"Robert Wickens underwent surgery to stabilize a thoracic spinal fracture," the statement read.

"Titanium rods and screws were placed successfully in Wickens' spine during the surgery, which was performed without complication.

"The severity of the spinal cord injury is indeterminate at this time."

He was airlifted there after a high-impact crash in the opening laps of Sunday's race.

Wickens has injuries to his lower extremities, right arm and spine and a pulmonary contusion.

His car sailed into the fence at Pocono when he and Ryan Hunter-Reay made slight contact.

Hunter-Reay's car spun and Wickens' car launched over it and into the fence.

The fencing was shredded and Wickens' car was reduced to just the tub, which came to a rest on the track along an interior wall.

Medical workers calmly attended to Wickens, who was taken to an ambulance before he was transported to the helicopter.