Swiss cyclist Dupasquier dies after crash
The Italian MotoGP Grand Prix organizers, the sixth stage of the world championship, announced that the promising Swiss rider in the Moto3 class Jason Dupasquier died Sunday at the age of 19 after an accident he suffered on Saturday during qualifying in Mugello.
"Despite the efforts of the circuit's medical team and everyone who took care of the Swiss driver afterwards, the hospital (Careghi in Florence, where he was being treated) announced that Dupasquier has unfortunately passed away from his injuries," a statement from the organizers said.
"We are deeply saddened to report the death of Jason Dupasquier," the tournament promoter said in a tweet.
"On behalf of the entire MotoGP family, we send our love to his team, family and loved ones. We will miss you greatly, Jason. Rest in peace."
Dupasquier, who is in his second season in Moto 3, fell after colliding with another bike, before slipping on the track, in the last moments of qualifying on Saturday.
According to television images that showed only the end of his fall, and statements from other riders involved in the accident, Japanese Ayumu Sasaki and Spaniard Jeremy Alcoba, he was hit by at least one motorcycle, before he slipped on the track.
Forty minutes after rescuers who arrived at the scene immediately intervened, the Swiss cyclist, "multiple fractured and in a serious but stable condition", was taken by medical helicopter to Karigi Hospital.
A hospital spokesman told AFP earlier on Sunday that the boy had undergone chest surgery on Thursday night "due to a vascular injury" and suffered "severe brain damage".
And his team, Broestel, announced his withdrawal from Sunday's race.
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