Horror at 95mph: Luger killed after smashing into concrete pillar at Vancouver Olympics

 

 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 10:09 PM on 12th February 2010

 

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Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili has died following a crash in training at the Whistler Sliding Centre, according to reports.

Kumaritashvili was airlifted to hospital after crashing near the end of the course. He went over the wall of the track and appeared to hit a concrete pillar near the finish line.

Rescue officials rushed to the scene and performed chest compressions as well as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

 

Tragic: Nodar Muaritashvili loses control and crashes

 

Kumaritashvili was airlifted to hospital with what were described at the time as life-threatening injuries.

 

An Olympic official was reported to have confirmed that the luger had died and a statement was expected to follow.

It was unclear how fast 21-year-old Kumaritashvili was going at the time of the crash, although many sliders have reached speed in excess of 90 mph on the track, which is considered to be the fastest in the world.

Luge training was suspended indefinitely after the incident and team captains from each nation were asked to attend a meeting.

Kumaritashvili competed in five World Cup races this season and finished 44th in the world standings.

Earlier Italian gold medal favourite Armin Zoggeler crashed, losing control of his sled also around curve 11.

 

Experienced: Nodar Kumaritashvili had competed in five World Cup races this season

 

Zoggeler came off his sled and slid on his back down several curves before coming to a halt and walking away.

Kumaritashvili's injuries were described by local media reports as being life threatening.

British luger Adam Rosen had been scheduled to compete on the same track on Saturday.

After his first training run, Rosen said of the track: 'It's very fast. It's a very technical track. You have to be very exact on certain parts of the track otherwise they could be disastrous.'

 

Before Kumaritashvili's crash, British skeleton slider Amy Williams told BBC Sport: 'I just hope Whistler is safe and that there aren't too many crashes and serious injuries.'

 

British skeleton's performance director, Andi Schmid, said a lack of track time for athletes in the run-up to the Games had increased the risk of accidents.

 

 

Final run: Nodar Kumaritashvili slides through a straightaway

 

"I would say especially for speed sports you need to have more access to tracks and whoever organises the Olympics needs to offer that,' said Schmid during preparations for the Games.

'Not only so that everyone has a fair chance but also because of the danger. We need to be careful so that these sports stay great action sports and don't become dangerous killer sports.

'I'm not saying that will happen but some athletes from other nations are less experienced.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1250636/Olympic-luger-Nodar-Kumaritashvili-killed-smashing-concrete-pillar-95mph.html#ixzz0fMaKlOFQ

The only sport I'm watching this time around is curling where there's a 1% chance of anyone getting injured.

The only sport I'm watching this time around is curling where there's a 1% chance of anyone getting injured.

 

They could still slip over on the ice and hit their head......................... ;)

They could still slip over on the ice and hit their head......................... ;)

 

Or step on one of the stones, slip, fall backwards on a broom which then pirces their stomach. Comming to think of it, I'll just skip the Olympics.

Or step on one of the stones, slip, fall backwards on a broom which then pirces their stomach. Comming to think of it, I'll just skip the Olympics.

 

I think you're a bit too squeamish......................... :dozey:

I think you're a bit too squeamish......................... :dozey:

 

I will not comment that as I do not know the litteral meaning.

The moral of the story is don't slide near concrete pillars, only bad things can come of it.

Or step on one of the stones, slip, fall backwards on a broom which then pirces their stomach. Comming to think of it, I'll just skip the Olympics.

I spy a curling pun.

I was really hoping Mark would make a distasteful loser pun.

I spy a curling pun.

 

Or maybe a toe-curling pun?:rolleyes:

I spy a curling pun.

 

:wtf: Really? Where?

:wtf: Really? Where?

 

I was thinking the same.:confused:

 

Maybe we should just let it slide.:rolleyes:

:( this puts a bad spin on what was a great day