Johannesburg - South African cyclist Keagan Girdlestone has continued to show improvement in intensive care as his ventilator has been removed while he begins to breathe on his own, following a horror crash in Italy on June 5.
Girdlestone is no longer fighting for his life, but trying to recover from his serious injuries after crashing into a team's car rear windscreen in a race nine days ago.
The 19-year-old was responding well to treatment in a hospital in Rimini, Italy his management team said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Keagan is currently still in intensive care, critical but a lot more stable. He is out of a coma and responding. The ventilator has been removed and he is breathing on his own. While these are all steps in the right direction, his injuries are still complicated. We are hopeful that he continues showing signs of improvement with each passing day.”
The family thanked the overwhelming support they had received following the incident.
“As always, his family are grateful for the continued support from all over the world, with special thanks to the cycling community at large, Robbie Hunter of Pro Touch Global Management as well as the staff of Rimini Hospital. Special mention to the family who own Hotel Betulla in Rimini who have gone to extraordinary lengths to assist Desere and Wayne through this difficult time.” - African News Agency (ANA)