Two of Australia’s top women cyclists are still on life support after being hit by an out-of-control car that also killed teammate Amy Gillett in Germany this week, Cycling Australia (CA) said on Thursday.
Alexis Rhodes (20) and Louise Yaxley (23) are both unconscious with serious and extensive injuries after the accident on Tuesday.
Three other injured cyclists — Katie Brown (21), Lorian Graham (27) and Kate Nichols (20) — are in a satisfactory condition, CA said.
Memorial services were held on Wednesday in Australia and Germany for 29-year-old Gillett, who died instantly when she and her five compatriots took the full force of the car outside Zeulenroda in southern Germany.
CA said Rhodes suffered serious chest trauma and spinal injuries, fractures of parts of her thoracic spine and seven broken bones in her back. She will require further surgery.
The cycling body said there is no evidence at this stage that Rhodes has spinal-cord damage.
”There are bone fragments near her spinal cord and doctors will operate to remove those in due course. Doctors are keeping Alexis unconscious, on an automatic ventilator, and will not wake her until they believe it is medically safe to do so,” CA said in a statement.
Yaxley underwent further surgery overnight to stabilise her condition, CA said.
”She has a small blood clot in her brain, which is not causing any major problem at this stage and is being monitored by doctors,” CA said.
”She has also suffered chest trauma and a puncture wound to her abdomen. She has a broken arm and severe damage to both arms and legs that will require plastic surgery.
”Louise has not regained consciousness since the accident and is also on an automatic ventilator. Doctors will not wake her until it is medically safe to do so.”
CA said the other three cyclists have all undergone surgery and are recovering.
Brown had surgery on her left knee and right leg, there were fractures to three bones in her left wrist, and her left ring finger was broken. She is expected to be released from hospital in two or three weeks.
Graham had a fracture to her right collar bone and the patella in her left knee and CA said doctors had affixed tension wire to support her injured knee.
Nichols underwent surgery to repair tendon damage in her right hand and fingers.
The director of the Australian Institute of Sport, Professor Peter Fricker, said in a media conference at the hospital late on Wednesday: ”The parents of the cyclists want everyone to know they are optimistic about their daughters’ recovery and extremely satisfied with the treatment they are receiving.
”Louise and Alexis are the most critically injured but both are very fit and strong and we have reason to be optimistic about their recovery,” Fricker said in the CA statement. — Sapa-AFP