Giro d'Italia: Helicopter causes crash that forces Luca Wackermann out with multiple injuries
Barrier blown over by draft from helicopter strikes two riders on Giro's fourth stage
By Reuters
Last Updated: 07/10/20 9:09am
Italian rider Luca Wackermann was forced to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia with multiple injuries following a major crash during Tuesday's fourth stage caused by a low-flying helicopter.
The crash, which brought down Wackermann and Dutchman Etienne van Empel of the Vini Zabu-KTM team, happened at the end of the stage when a barrier was blown over by the draft from the helicopter and struck the two riders.
A statement from the Italian team said Wackermann had suffered concussion due to a head injury, as well as a fracture of the nasal bones, multiple contusions to the face, on the chin and on the right knee.
The 28-year-old also sustained multiple bruises to his arms and legs and a suspected back fracture.
"Wackermann will spend the night in the hospital kept under observation and losing that chance to live a dream vanished because of an episode that could have brought some heavier consequences," read the statement.
A freak accident on stage three also forced Geraint Thomas out of the Giro, after he ran over a stray water bottle which caused an "undisplaced fracture of his pelvis".
