While contesting a phase of an Italian race, former Formula One driver Alex Zanardi suffered an accident that caused him serious brain damage. The race in question was the Tricolor Obiettive, which had been held on Friday the 19th to symbolize the return to normal after the pandemic.
Zanardi’s handbike, after the accident.
The cyclist reportedly lost control of his handbike, which was going about 50 km/hour, during a downing section. In a semi-curv, it would have moved to the opposite lane, where a truck was approaching. After a blow to the head, Zanardi crashed into the truck. On this, the truck driver’s lawyer stated, “My client, being such an extraordinary character, has suffered even more, psychologically, what happened.” He was taken to the emergency room in shock, tested negative for toxicology tests and alcohol tests. Also, the speed of the truck at that point, made of tight corners, was very, very low,” the lawyer continued.
On Friday night, Zanardi underwent a neurosurgical intervention that lasted three hours. Now, he is in induced coma and breathing assisted. While the neurological picture is severe, professionals have ruled out the possibility that Zanardi will die.” Stable conditions are certainly a good sign from a diagnostic point of view, while the neurological picture is uncertain,” Sabino Scolletta, Director of Emergencies, told reporters. Such is how several political and sporting figures came together to send messages of encouragement to the cyclist.
Mai ti sei arreso e with tua straordinaria forza d’animo hai superato mille difficolt. Forza Alex #Zanardi, non mollare. Tutta l’Italia lotta with tea. pic.twitter.com/oMhDfGaOEo— Giuseppe Conte (@GiuseppeConteIT)
June 19, 2020
“You never gave up and with your extraordinary mental fortitude you overcame a thousand difficulties. Come on, Alex Zanardi, don’t give up. All of Italy is fighting with you,” the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted,”s not finally Giuseppe Oliveri, head of neurosurgery at Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital, said: “I don’t know what the prognosis will be in a week or 15 days, but I’m absolutely convinced that it’s worth treating this patient.”
