Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer has died at the age of 18 after a crash at the Road World Championships in Switzerland.
Furrer crashed during the women’s junior road race on Thursday and was immediately taken to hospital via an emergency helicopter.
However, the 18-year-old passed away the following day as a result of a severe head injury sustained during the fall.
Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, announced Furrer’s passing in a statement which read: ‘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 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.
‘The 18-year-old rider fell heavily yesterday, Thursday 26 September, during the Women Junior road race, and suffered a serious head injury before being flown to hospital by helicopter in a very critical condition. Muriel Furrer sadly passed away today at Zurich University Hospital.
‘The UCI and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships offer their sincere condolences to Muriel Furrer’s family, friends and her Federation Swiss Cycling. Muriel Furrer’s family asks that their privacy be respected at this very painful time.’
Furrer, a two-time silver medallist in the time trial and road race at this year’s Swiss road nationals, came 44th in the women’s junior time trial held earlier this week.
Thursday’s road race took place in wet conditions after heavy rain fell in Zurich, with an investigation into the accident already underway.
In a post on social media, Swiss Cycling said: ‘Our hearts are broken, we have no words. It is with a heavy heart and infinite sadness that we have to say goodbye to Muriel Furrer today.
‘We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness.’
Tributes poured in from around the cycling world following the announcement, including from British cycling who said: ‘Everyone at British Cycling is devastated to learn of the passing of Muriel Furrer.
‘Muriel was a devoted young rider with a bright future ahead of her and will be sorely missed by the cycling world. We send our condolences to her family, friends and team-mates at Swiss Cycling.’
The tragic incident comes just two months after the death of Norwegian rider Andre Drege who suffered fatal injuries following a fall during the Tour of Austria.
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