Muriel Furrer: Swiss 18-year-old rider dies after crash at Road and Para-cycling World Championships
Published 27/09/2024 at 15:26 GMT+1
Teenage cyclist Muriel Furrer has died after a crash at the Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. The 18-year-old was airlifted to hospital after coming off the road during the women’s junior road race on Thursday, and cycling’s governing body, the UCI, confirmed Furrer's death on Friday due to a severe head injury.
UCI
Image credit: From Official Website
Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has died after sustaining a serious head injury from a crash at the Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Switzerland.
The 18-year-old rider fell on Thursday, September 26, during the women's junior road race, and was flown to Zurich University Hospital by helicopter in a very critical condition.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) confirmed Murrer's death on Friday in hospital due to a severe head injury.
In a statement, the organising committee said: "It is with great sadness that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich (Switzerland) today learned the tragic news of the death of young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer.
"With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her.
"Muriel Furrer's family asks that their privacy be respected at this very painful time."
Prior to her death, it had been confirmed by the UCI that the Worlds would "continue according to the race programme", and that this was done with the agreement of Furrer's family.
Thursday's race had seen torrential rain affect much of the racing in Zurich.
Furrer was a double silver medallist in the time trial and road race events at the Swiss road nationals this year.
Last year, Swiss rider Gino Mader died aged 26 following a crash while during the Tour de Suisse.
The tragic death heightened the need for improved safety, and the UCI introduced the SafeR campaign in 2023 to better analyse route risks and offer safety advice.
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