(Reuters) – Ineos Grenadiers rider Egan Bernal mentioned he had a 95% probability of changing into a paraplegic following a severe crash throughout coaching in Colombia earlier this week that required a number of surgical procedures.
The former Tour de France winner slammed right into a stationary bus on the outskirts of Bogota on Monday, sustaining accidents to his backbone, legs and chest. He was rushed to hospital the place medical doctors carried out profitable neurosurgery.
“Having had a 95% probability of changing into a paraplegic and practically shedding my life doing what I like to do most, right now I need to thank God, the Sabana University Clinic and to all its specialists for doing the unimaginable, my household and all of you,” Bernal mentioned on Twitter on Friday.
“I’m nonetheless within the ICU awaiting extra operations, however trusting God the whole lot will probably be superb.”
In an announcement, the hospital mentioned the 25-year-old Colombian was recovering nicely however would bear two extra minor surgical procedures to deal with fractures on the precise hand and within the mouth.
Bernal’s staff mate Brandon Rivera is receiving therapy on the similar hospital after injuring his elbow and shoulder in a separate incident whereas coaching in the identical space on Thursday.
(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru; Editing by Stephen Coates)
