Kyle Busch battled sepsis for only a day before a rapid formation of blood clots led to fatal hemorrhaging and blood loss, according to the death certificate obtained by Us Weekly.
Busch died at 41 on May 21 after being rushed to the hospital when he was found unresponsive inside a race simulator near Charlotte, North Carolina. It was later revealed that the married father of two was battling pneumonia, which led to sepsis.
Now, as detailed by a North Carolina medical examiner, Busch’s sudden demise is coming into focus.
Sepsis, a life-threatening reaction to an infection, caused Busch’s blood to clot, which then impeded his organs, according to Us Weekly. As a result, Busch went into hemorrhagic shock.
The death certificate also reports Busch has been cremated in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office spokespeople did not immediately respond to The Daily Mail’s request for the death certificate.
Kyle Busch battled sepsis for only a day before blood clots led to hemorrhaging, blood loss and, ultimately, death, according to the death certificate
NASCAR Hall of Famer and RCR team owner, Richard Childress, Samantha Busch (wife) Brexton Busch (son) and NASCAR Chief Executive Officer Steve O’Donnell stand on the grid during the remembrance ceremony for Kyle Busch, who passed away suddenly at the age of 41
The medical examiner’s findings support the claims made during a May 20 911 call, when Busch was reportedly throwing up blood.
Initially, as the caller told the 911 operator, Busch had ‘shortness of breath’ and felt ‘very hot.’
‘[He] thinks he’s going to pass out, and he’s producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood,’ the caller added.
The caller then confirmed Busch was still conscious, repeatedly telling dispatch: ‘He is awake. He’s awake. He’s awake.’
According to the 911 audio, the NASCAR great was lying on a bathroom floor at the facility while employees prepared for the paramedics’ arrival.
Busch was then rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead the following day.
Previously, Busch dealt with a sinus issue during a NASCAR Cup Series race in Watkins Glen, New York on May 10. Nearing the end of that competition, Busch radioed his pit crew to ask for the help of Bill Heisel, a certified physician’s assistant who has worked with the stock car circuit for years.
‘Can somebody try to find Bill Heisel?’ Busch asked the Richard Childress Racing crew. ‘He’s the [inaudible] doctor guy. Tell him I need him after the race, please… I’m gonna need a shot.’
Kyle Busch and wife Samantha Busch pose for photos on the red carpet prior to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Charlotte Convention Center on January 23
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Busch would go on to finish eighth and later told The Athletic on May 16 that he was still battling a cold prior to the May 23 All-Star race in Dover, Delaware.
It remains unclear what, if any, shot Busch received from Heisel. NASCAR spokespeople did not respond to The Daily Mail’s request for more information.
Heisel has not been accused of any wrongdoing. And although Busch referred to Heisel as a ‘doctor’ rather than a physician’s assistant, Heisel is not accused of misrepresenting himself or his work.
According to the TV broadcast, Busch had been struggling with a sinus cold that was exacerbated by the intense G-forces and elevation changes at the Upstate New York road course.
Brushing off the incident, Busch went on to claim his a fifth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series trophy days later on May 15.
Following his death, a heartbreaking clip of Busch’s post-race interview resurfaced.
After earning his 69th career Trucks Series race win with the triumph at Dover, he was asked how many races he wanted to win in his career before he stops racing.
‘You take whatever you can get, man,’ Busch said. ‘You never know when the last one is going to be, so cherish them all – trust me.’
