At the University University Hospital in Uppsala, five patients who sustained serious neurological injuries after crashing while mountain biking have been received within 14 days. Several of them are at risk of permanent paralysis.

- In principle, these are life-threatening injuries that entail a risk of permanent disability, says Per Enblad, chief physician in neurosurgery and head of the Department of Neurointensive Care at the University Hospital.

Three at the same facility

Three of the accidents have occurred at the Järvsö mountain bike park facility. Two more accidents have occurred in other places in the same region.

The cyclists have sustained injuries to the neck and in several cases broken the spine. For at least one of them, the condition has been life-threatening.

Per Enblad says that staff from Akademiska have been in contact with the facility in Järvsö to inform that there is a concern on the part of the hospital regarding safety work.

- They are also thinking about whether this with corona and home holidays means that many now ride mountain bikes without habit. And if they understand that they can get life-threatening injuries and be disabled for the rest of their lives, he says.

Many in a short time

This is not the first time the hospital has received patients who have been injured while cycling on off-road tracks. But Per Enblad believes that it is remarkable that several serious accidents have occurred in a relatively short time.

- It can not be ruled out that it is a coincidence. But it is still good to convey that there are risks with a sport like this. And that the facilities think about and inform about the degree of difficulty in different courses.

He points out that they do not want to oppose mountain biking and downhill skiing as a sport.

- It is also health-promoting, but there must be a safety mindset.

Read the interview with the CEO of Järvsö mountain bike park here.