Muriel Furrer, an 18-year-old Swiss woman, died this Friday, the International Cycling Union announced.
The cyclist had fallen the day before during a race, and was in “very critical” condition after head trauma.
A fatal accident. Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer, aged 18, victim of a serious fall on Thursday September 26 during the Junior World Championships in Zurich (Switzerland), has died, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced this Friday. “It is with very deep sadness that the UCI and the Organizing Committee of the World Championships (…) in Zurich learned today the tragic news of the death of the young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer”the body said in a statement (new window).
Pouring rain
The young woman had been flown to hospital the day before with severe head trauma and was in poor condition. “very critical”. “Muriel Furrer unfortunately died today at the University Hospital of Zurich”said the UCI on Friday, deploring the disappearance of a “a runner who had the future ahead of her”.
The Swiss fell heavily in the pouring rain during the junior road race of the World Championships, on the same course as the other races on the program. The exact location of his fall has not been specified. According to Swiss media, the accident occurred in a forest above Küsnacht, on the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, and it took several minutes for the rider to be discovered.
“Investigations by the competent authorities are ongoing”indicated the UCI this Friday morning before the announcement of the death. Despite the drama, the World Championships will continue, with the women’s and men’s races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
