Rome (AFP)
The condition of Alex Zanardi, Italian handisport champion very seriously injured on Friday in a road accident, was still stable on Sunday morning according to doctors at the hospital in Siena, who spoke of an "always reserved prognosis".
"The patient spent the night in conditions of cardio-respiratory and metabolic stability. He is still sedated, intubated and on respiratory assistance," said Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital in a medical bulletin published around noon.
"This current state of general stability does not yet rule out the possibility of a negative development and the patient's prognosis is therefore always reserved," added the doctors.
Zanardi, 53, was very badly hit in the head in an accident Friday with his hand-held bicycle. He struck a truck and suffered numerous fractures in the face.
"The more time passes, the more stable it is. This gives us hope and confidence, because there were no steps back," said Dr. Sabino Scolletta, head of the Emergency Department at the hospital of Siena.
"We hope that the clinical conditions remain stable, which would give us the opportunity during the week to start assessing the neurological situation," he added.
On Saturday, the same doctor had mentioned a "serious neurological picture".
An investigation has been opened into the circumstances of the accident and the truck driver has already been heard. Zanardi's truck and hand-held bicycle, as well as his telephone, were seized by the investigators.
A former Formula 1 driver, Zanardi has become one of the great figures in disabled sports after being amputated in both legs in 2001 following a terrible accident during an IndyCar championship car race on the German Lausitzring circuit.
© 2020 AFP