Sid Watkins, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Sid Watkins

English neurosurgeon and Formula One doctor

Date of Birth: 06-Sep-1928

Place of Birth: Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

Date of Death: 12-Sep-2012

Profession: physician, surgeon, neurologist, neurosurgeon

Nationality: United Kingdom

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Eric Sidney Watkins (6 September 1928 – 12 September 2012), commonly known within the Formula One fraternity as Professor Sid or simply Prof, was an English neurosurgeon. Born in Liverpool, Watkins enrolled at the University of Liverpool where he graduated in 1952 later serving four years in the Royal Army Medical Corps before specialising in neurosurgery in Oxford and later London.
Watkins also acted as a race track doctor at weekends which he continued at Watkins Glen International when he was appointed a Professor of Neurosurgery at Syracuse University.At a meeting with Brabham team boss Bernie Ecclestone, he was offered the role as the FIA Formula One Safety and Medical Delegate, head of the Formula One on-track medical team, and first responder in case of a crash, a role which Watkins performed for twenty-six years.
He helped to save the lives of many drivers including Gerhard Berger, Martin Donnelly, Érik Comas, Rubens Barrichello, Karl Wendlinger and Mika Häkkinen.
Watkins was also known for his friendship with driver Ayrton Senna. Watkins was married, with four sons and two daughters.
He died on 12 September 2012 of a heart attack.