The close-knit community of motorsport is rampant with fiercely committed competitors eager to go to the edge, and beyond, but it also offers a readiness to rush to the aid of a victim of its occasional but ever-threatening tragedies.

Heroism and heartbreak are inseparable cohorts and the overlap is all too often a sad outcome in 200mph wheel-to-wheel clashes and confrontations and sometimes resultant freak and unavoidable mishaps.

As in the extremely upsetting and tragic case of Billy Monger, a genuinely likeable and talented 17-year-old, a racer and winner since his karting days as a six-year-old, and looking certain to be carried on a cushion of ability and commitment to the heights of his eventual target, Formula One.

That dream, and veritable promise however, was cut dramatically and cruelly short a week ago when he awoke in a British hospital emergency unit with both his legs amputated.

He had been involved in a horrific race crash that was none of his fault, carelessness or over developed and senseless daring. Just sheer rotten luck …

Misfortune loomed without warning when a Formula 4 championship rival’s car suddenly slowed without warning to a stop dead ahead of him and the unsighted Monger had no time to react and save himself from harm of despite his perfectly developed reflexes and he ploughed helplessly into the unanticipated blockage.

Two hours later he was cut free and helicoptered from the Donington Park international track in the UK’s Midlands to an emergency unit where surgeons undertook the rigorously and carefully considered drastic action to amputate. And right then a career full of promise in a sport of rich rewards perished disastrously.

At the same time it triggered an amazing response widespread among every level of the action-packed motorsport business, from the humblest of club and junior classes to the elite upper reaches of Formula One and its star performers well aware of the perils.

Straightaway, former world champion veteran Jenson Button and Red Bull’s teenage wonderboy Max Verstappen, hardly much older than the tragic victim, donated £15,000 each.

Pretty soon masses of money and support piled in with appeals from Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, two ex-champs, Felipe Massa, himself a benefactor of deep feeling when he was badly injured in a freak crash and nearly lost his life, Damon Hill, another lucky escapee from a big smash, and the McLaren F1 team, none of whom had ever met or knew Billy but whose sympathies in these awful circumstances set up a touching response. Within two days the donations had reached pounds 750,000 (Dh3.5 million) — and are still teeming in. They are confidently expected to top pounds 1 million — and maybe even more.

McLaren’s chief executive Zak Brown was the perfect personification of motorsport’s overriding sense of responsibility and goodwill to a sufferer, even a virtual unknown, when he hurried to involve the legendary team in the concerns for the young racer. He has pledged any help his team can offer over the oncoming and arduous times to raise the spirits of the boy and to financially support his medical and surgical treatment and recovery.

Button messaged: “Embrace the love of your family and friends during this tough time in your life. Get well soon buddy.” The Williams F1 team hierarchy e-mailed: “Stay positive knowing that you have the whole of the motorsport community behind you in the strongest support.” Verstappen piled in with: “Stay strong, Billy. My thoughts are with you and your loved ones.”

Brown, ahead of Sunday’s Russian grand prix, added: “Billy’s case is absolutely tragic. His crash left me speechless. And it is heart-warming to learn how much the racing fraternity at all levels has hurried to lend its support, financially and to boost his morale. His is the sort of accident that can happen to anybody.”

And here, I track back with a highly personal recollection and early appreciation of the sentiments and solid support offered to an unfortunate like Billy. My best friend Mike Hailwood, the motor bike race legend and multi-champion turned F1 driver, who was given the George Medal, the UK’s highest civil award for bravery, for selflessly and heroically rescuing stranded and helplessly trapped rival Clay Regazzoni from his wrecked and blazing car.

And when Hailwood himself suffered a massive career-ending crash and nearly lost a leg at the Nurburgring in the German Grand Prix the non-stop outpourings and offers of support that enveloped him were eye-wateringly effective from F1 friends and foes alike. Total strangers, too.

Neither Hailwood nor I ever lost sight of the underlying and sincerely genuine feelings that emanate from all motor sports quarters and its farthest reaches when what can often have a fatal or crippling result sets back or finishes a career of daring and continuously shared risk to life and limb. Despite its hard case exterior, it is a sincere and caring community. Very much so ... as the currently and very sadly bedridden Billy Monger has discovered. And will continue to do so.