“A motorcyclist injured in a condition considered serious”: victim of a fractured vertebra, a Spanish amateur evacuated by helicopter on the Dakar 2024 after a fall

Le motard espagnol est dans un état préocuppant. Illustration DPPI Media/ASO – Antonin Vincent

Le motard espagnol Carles Falcon se trouvait dimanche 7 janvier dans un "état grave" après une chute sur la 2e étape du Dakar-2024 entre Al-Henakiyah et Al-Duwadimi, a annoncé l'organisation.

Spanish motorcyclist Carles Falcon was in a "serious condition" after a fall on the 2nd stage of the Dakar-2024 between Al-Henakiyah and Al-Duwadimi causing a fracture of a vertebra, announced the organization and its team.

The driver suffers in particular from a "fracture of the C2 vertebra", according to comments from Carla Prat, the communications manager for his team Twintrail Racing Team at the Spanish public television channel Teledeporte Sunday evening.

Operated in the night

"This is what urgently worries the doctors the most", she added, specifying that Falcon was to be operated on on the night of Sunday at Monday at Riyadh hospital. The biker is also affected by cerebral edema, said Carla Prat.

In a press release released on Sunday late afternoon, Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) indicates that at km 448 of the day's special (Sunday) at 3:52 p.m., Spanish motorcycle rider Carles Falcon (n°135) suffered a fall".

"Immediately informed by a pilot who was following him, the organization dispatched a medical helicopter which took care of the injured motorcyclist in a condition considered serious. He was airlifted to Al-Duwadimi hospital, ASO said. The Spaniard finished 76th in the first stage on Saturday between Al-Ula and Al-Henakiyah on his KTM.