Broken ribs, vertebrae and punctured lung for fast rising British star in Italy

Barely a week ago we were reporting in a stunning running performance from the European and World Junior Duathlon champion, Alex Yee.

Not such good news this week for the uber-runner, who suffered a horrible bike crash at the Cagliari ITU World Cup Triathlon race on Sunday.

Great Britain’s Paul Groves – who was working at the event as one of the on-site commentary team – called me this morning with an update having been visiting Alex in hospital, and he has suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung. Paul said he is in “remarkably good spirits”, and when visited in hospital after the race by the Italian Federation President, the first thing he asked was who had won the race.

He’ll be in hospital for a few days at least due to the lung issue, which needs to be resolved before flying.

Sincere best wishes to Alex Yee who as well as being a fine athlete is also a very impressive young man.

[UPDATE] – we’ve also received a formal statement from British Triathlon:

Statement on Alex Yee bike crash, Cagliari ITU Triathlon World Cup

Alex Yee suffered a high-speed bike crash during the 2017 Cagliari ITU Triathlon World Cup in Italy yesterday (Sunday). British team physio, Lyndsey Townsend, was first on the scene after he came off his bike and hit a bollard. Alex received emergency care on site before being taken to a specialist trauma hospital.

Alex’s injuries, which include broken ribs, vertebrae and a pneumothorax (collapsed lung), require that he remains in hospital for the next few days along with Lyndsey Townsend. Having briefly lost consciousness, protocols on concussion are being followed.

Alex is receiving a very high level of care and it is hoped that he will be able to return home in the next few days. He was due to take A level examinations this week, but the immediate priority is that he is well enough to travel home.

The British Triathlon medical support team and Alex’s parents have been kept fully up to date with his condition, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Brendan Purcell, 5 June 2017