Olympic BMX silver medallist Jelle van Gorkom in coma after accident

  • 11/01/2018
The Dutch rider is in a coma following a serious crash.
The Dutch rider is in a coma following a serious crash. Photo credit: Getty Images

Olympic BMX silver medallist Jelle van Gorkom is in a coma after a training accident on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ time).

The Dutch rider had just begun his training at the National Sports Centre Papendal in Arnhem when the incident happened which left him with multiple injuries. 

"Van Gorkom has broken ribs, a fracture in the face, a tear in the skull and damage to the liver, spleen and kidneys. He is kept dormant at the moment," the Royal Dutch Cycling Union said in a statement.

The 27-year-old won silver medals at the 2015 World Championships and the 2016 Rio Games.

It is the second time that van Gorkom has been in a coma. Back in 2012, he suffered a bruised lung, broken ribs and a concussion in a heavy fall and lay in a coma for three days. He could not remember anything about the accident at the time.

Newshub.