https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/29334686/alex-zanardi-undergoes-neurosurgery-severe-head-injury-handbike-crash Zanardi was transported by helicopter to Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital in Siena following a crash near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes, police told The Associated Press. A medical bulletin from the hospital said Zanardi underwent "a delicate neurosurgery operation" due to "severe cranial trauma." The surgery lasted about three hours, after which Zanardi was moved to the intensive care unit. "His condition remains very serious," the hospital said.
For those that understand the language........sorry, no translation. Incidente Zanardi, il punto della situazione dopo 24 ore
In short a very Italian press conference, he spends all his time answering that it is too early to tell, we will understand more next week. He did underline these are serious brain injuries but that he is a very fit athlete which helps a lot. Amazing to see how many of my colleagues are there for that, it shows the well deserved huge respect he has in his great nation. I have a great Zanardi Schumacher story to tell but need to be at my computer not cell phone with clumsy fingers and maddening auto correct.
Alex Zanardi is one the rare personalities that everyone loves and respects - he is basically impossible not to like! He's made such a beautiful 2nd life after his near fatal Indycar crash....fingers crossed he can get a 3rd!
I am very curious about Italy, with all the investigations and finger pointing after racing accidents, allowing the racing on roads still open to the public traffic......... Ponderous. Sad.
The accounts I have read state that he veered into the oncoming lane....the truck tried to avoid. In essence, Alessandro hit the truck......
"The Prosecutor of Siena has opened a file on the incident in which Alex Zanardi was involved this afternoon. The deputy prosecutor Serena Menicucci, magistrate on duty, carried out an inspection on the scene of the accident in the municipality of Pienza. The prosecutor then delegated the carabinieri of the companion of Montepulciano to carry out the surveys and to carry out investigations on the incident. In the file, according to what AdnKronos learns, the crime of serious injuries from road accidents is hypothesized, based on article 590 bis of the penal code. The carabinieri, coordinated by the prosecutor, meanwhile, have acquired at least one amateur video that would have taken up the moment of the tragic accident. The military of the Arma are also carrying out checks on the organizational methods of the "Objective 3" event in which Zanardi participated together with a dozen runners. The aim is to ascertain whether the race took place in suitable safety conditions." Suitable conditions??? I don't care whether it's cars, bicycles, "wheelchairs", or pogo sticks. If there's regular traffic coming the other way on the road, there's a question??????? Once again, common sense really prevails, eh?
I hear ya' there....'dang good question at this point. I've seen it both ways and have no idea how to confirm...... Image Unavailable, Please Login Anyway, I got this, this morning: "This is the clinical update of 11.30: "Regarding the clinical conditions of the athlete Alex Zanardi, admitted to the polyclinic Santa Maria alle Scotte in Siena since 19 June following a road accident, the Health Department informs that the patient spent the night in cardio-respiratory and metabolic stability conditions. The organ functions are adequate. It is always sedated, intubated and mechanically ventilated. The ongoing neuromonitoring has shown some stability but this figure must be taken with caution because the neurological picture remains serious. The current conditions of general stability still do not allow to exclude the possibility of adverse events and, therefore, the patient always remains in a reserved prognosis."
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No shortage of support. C’mon Z, you’re a lion. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/22/paralymics-gold-medalist-alex-zanardi-medically-induced-coma-after-horrific-crash/
He does not deserve to face it all twice.... Like a close friend that was killed the SECOND time a car crushed him to the ground....:/
Doctors are keeping Alex in a medically induced coma, (usually) a preventative measure to keep him still and let his body heal. We all know what a fighter he is, he's got to pull through. https://racer.com/2020/06/23/zanardi-to-remain-in-a-coma-until-at-least-next-week/ BHW
I know a guy that had a massive heart attack - flatlined and as I heard the story, defibrillator used like 4 times (and supposedly they stop after the 5th) and he recovered. Back to work, one day waiting for the bus on a snowy day, the bus skids on ice and hits a car that careens directly into this guy, sending him flying. Broken bones, hospitalized for days...he survived. God bless him, whether luck or tenacity, some will themselves on. If anyone can, it’s Zanardi.
second surgery for Alex, though sounds like it was somewhat expected (?) https://www.autosport.com/other/news/150220/zanardi-undergoes-second-round-of-neurological-surgery
Ex-F1 driver Zanardi undergoes second round of neurological surgery Image Unavailable, Please Login Alex Zanardi has undergone a second round of neurological surgery 10 days after being admitted to hospital with severe head injuries sustained in a handbike road accident. Ex-Formula 1 and CART driver Zanardi was hit by a vehicle while taking part in a Paralympic handbike event in Siena on 19 June, leaving him with head and facial injuries. Zanardi underwent surgery upon admission and has remained in a medically-induced coma since, with the most recent update being issued last Wednesday confirming his condition remained serious. In a new bulletin issued on Monday by Siena University Hospital, it was confirmed that Zanardi had undergone a second surgery after a CT scan presented "an evolution in the patient's state which made is necessary to have a second neurosurgical intervention". The surgery lasted two-and-a-half hours, after which Zanardi returned to the hospital's intensive care unit where he remains in a coma. The hospital reported that Zanardi's condition "remained stable from the cardio-respiratory and metabolic point of view, serious from the neurological point of view". "The intervention carried out represents a step that had been anticipated by the team," according to the university's health director, Roberto Gusinu. "Our professionals will evaluate day by day the evolution of the situation. In agreement with the family, the next bulletin will be issued in about 24 hours." Zanardi has enjoyed a prolific career in handbike racing, winning four gold medals at the Paralympic Games in 2012 and 2016. The 53-year-old former F1 driver also won the CART championship twice, prior to an accident at the Lausitzring in 2001 that resulted in both his legs being amputated. https://www.autosport.com/other/news/150220/zanardi-undergoes-second-round-of-neurological-surgery
Fight on, brother, fight on.... Everyone should be buying copies of his book, sending the money his family's way.... He is so proud of his son, and his wife has stood by thru it all...
On the subject of Zanardi, and others, I would also recommend "Rapid Response" by Dr. Steve Olvey. Image Unavailable, Please Login