Winter Olympics

Austrian Snowboarder Breaks Neck in Cross Quarterfinal Crash

Austria's Markus Schairer suffered no neurological impairments, the Austrian Olympic Committee said in a statement

Austrian Snowboarder Markus Schairer broke his neck during the men's snowboard cross quarterfinal in Pyeongchang Thursday, but officials said he did not sustain serious damage.

Schairer fractured his fifth cervical vertebra during the race, the Austrian Olympic Committee said in a statement. Video of the crash showed him in fourth place heading into the final jump when he fell on his back and snapped his head back, sending his goggles flying through the air. 

After laying motionless on the ground for a few moments, the 30-year-old was able to get back up and cross the finish line, the committee said.

Shairer suffered no neurological impairments, the committee said, and is scheduled to be flown back to Austria to receive more medical assistance. 

Contact Us