Thread: Skier loses leg after fracture

Austrian skier has leg amputated two days after suffering double fracture in super-G

Originally Posted by Daily Mail

Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger had his lower left leg amputated Tuesday due to complications after breaking his shinbone and fibula at a crash in Sunday's World Cup super-G in Norway.

The double fracture severely damaged blood vessels which hampered blood circulation in the leg of the 27-year-old Lanzinger.

The Austrian ski federation said surgery on Monday night at a hospital in Oslo was only partly successful and left doctors no other option than an amputation to avoid further health risks.

"The blood circulation in the foot was re-established but due to the long time of ischemia, the circulation could not be stabilised," said doctor Thomas Hoelzenbein, who was flown in from Austria Monday to lead the operation.

Organizers of the race in Kvitfjell, Norway, were criticized as there was no medical helicopter available at the event Sunday.

Lanzinger was flown to a hospital in Lillehammer with a tourist helicopter, and was later brought to Oslo.

"The lacking safety measures at these races are shocking," Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer was quoted as saying by the Austria Press Agency on Tuesday. "I can't understand how a World Cup race could be organized at such a low safety level."

Lanzinger is carried away after crashing in a super-G race in Kvitfjell, Norway, on Sunday

Austrian sports secretary Reinhold Lopatka said the accident showed the importance of immediate medical care being available at races.

"Organizers who fail here, should be held liable," Lopatka told the APA.

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lanzinger

Lanzinger moments before his crash in the World Cup super-G in Kvitfjell on Sunday

Austrian ski federation president Peter Schroecksnadel said it was too early to apportion blame.

"We won't take any steps until we exactly know all the circumstances," Schroecksnadel said. Hans Pum, the federation's alpine director, called for a discussion on safety at the World Cup circuit.

"We should clear this case soon and bring all relevant parties together to discuss speed, equipment and course preparation, as the safety and the health of the athletes come first," Plum said.

Lanzinger, who started 30th, crashed near the finish after hitting a gate. The race, won by his teammate Georg Streitberger, was interrupted for more than 30 minutes.

Lanzinger's career best World Cup result was third at a super-G in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in December 2005.

Austrian skier has leg amputated two days after suffering double fracture in super-G | the Daily Mail
this is just terrible, really sad to hear this.

When eduardo said he could have lost his leg had it not been for the physio being v.good i thought he was exaggerating but after reading this im not so sure.


the crash was really horrific so dont watch it if you're faint hearted

YouTube - Lanzinger horrific crash

I really feel sorry for him.

haven't seen smth like this since Larsson broke his leg. I feel really sorry for the guy, the pitch was too fast indeed.
the difference between him and eduardo is that the brazilian (croatian) received immediate attention and surgery