Bobsleigh star rushed to hospital in helicopter for emergency surgery after being KO’d by his own sled in shock crash
A BOBSLEDDER has been rushed to hospital after being run over by his own sled.
Swiss bobsleigh star Sandro Michel was transported to hospital by helicopter on Tuesday after suffering a freak crash in training.
Michel was in training ahead of the weekend’s World Cup race in Germany.
During practice in Altenberg, Michel was thrown from the four-man sleigh and was then hit and knocked unconscious by it when lying on the track.
The 27-year-old was then transported to hospital in Dresden, where he underwent emergency surgery for hip and thigh injuries.
Michel, who also has chest injuries from the crash, is now said to be in a stable condition following the procedure.
Swiss Sliding, Switzerland‘s national governing body for bobsleigh, said the sleigh was “was uncontrollably sliding back from the finish area”.
He was also not the only one to sustain injuries from the crash.
They said: “Sandro Michel underwent surgery on his hip and thigh area at the University Hospital Dresden.
“Michel, who also sustained chest injuries, is now stable.
“Further examinations today [Wednesday] will determine the extent of Sandro Michel’s injuries, including those to his chest.
“Pilot Michael Vogt suffered a severe concussion and bruises. The other pushers, Dominik Hufschmid and Andreas Haas, were also slightly injured.
“Swiss Sliding is deeply saddened by this accident and wishes Sandro Michel, Michael Vogt, Dominik Hufschmid, and Andreas Haas a speedy and full recovery.”
The federation said it would allow other Swiss teams in Altenberg to choose whether they wanted to compete in the rest of the days training sessions and races over the weekend.
Michael and Vogt were both members of the Swiss Olympic team who finished fourth Beijing in a two-man bob.
The duo also took bronze at the world championships last year.
In build up to the World Cup they had won a race in December and are third in the season long standings.
Meanwhile, Vogt’s four-man bob crew sit fourth in the World Cup standings.