The 18-year-old cyclist Muriel Furrer passed away on Friday, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said, following a major brain injury she sustained during a race.
Furrer suffered serious injuries in a fall on Thursday while competing in the women’s junior road race at the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland.
Furrer was taken to the hospital via emergency helicopter after the fall, according to the UCI statement.
“The tragic news of young Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer’s death was learned today by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich (Switzerland),” the UCI stated in a statement.
“The cycling fraternity throughout the world has lost a cyclist with a promising future in Muriel Furrer’s demise. Yesterday, Thursday, September 26, the 18-year-old racer went down hard during the Women Junior road race, breaking his head badly and needing emergency medical helicopter transport to the hospital. Sadly, Muriel Furrer passed away at Zurich University Hospital today.
“The Federation Swiss Cycling, Muriel Furrer’s family, and the UCI and the organizing committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Paracycling Road World Championships extend their deepest sympathies to her.
“The family of Marion Furrer requests that their privacy be honored during this extremely distressing time.”
The UCI indicated that the incident was being looked into in a statement that was released on Thursday.
There are yet no confirmed details about the accident’s cause. The relevant authorities are now conducting investigations. Until further notice, no more information may be provided for this reason.
