 According to CART physician Dr. Steve Olvey , Zanardi 's diagnosis when he left the track was " extremely critical " . His life had been endangered by the crash ; last rites were given to him afterward . Upon arriving at Klinikum Berlin @-@ Marzahn , Zanardi underwent a three @-@ hour operation in which his legs were both amputated above his knees . He also fractured his pelvis and suffered a concussion , and lost over 75 percent of his blood . Tagliani had a sore back as a result of the accident , and was released from the hospital after one day . On September 17 , one of Zanardi 's doctors said that his life was not in danger , although he had been placed under an induced coma in an attempt to prevent trauma shock . Doctors took Zanardi off the coma three days later , and left Klinikum Berlin @-@ Marzahn on October 30 . 
