The seriously injured Swiss push athlete Sandro Michel has spoken out for the first time after his crash in Altenberg. "To date, four operations have been necessary to ensure my survival and to patch me up to some extent. I think I was very lucky in my misfortune and can/must be happy to be able to write this post today," Michel wrote from his hospital bed on his Instagram account. He also thanked the emergency services who acted professionally and quickly at the scene. "In particular, I would like to say a huge thank you to my doctors, Swiss Sliding, family, girlfriend and my team! You gave me the support I needed during that time and were there for me when I needed you the most."
Michael Michel, the pusher, suffered serious injuries to his chest and pelvis when his world-class pilot Michael Vogt crashed in training in Altenberg on 13 February. The 210 kilogram sled with three crew members weighing a good hundred kilograms had slid uncontrollably from the uphill finish curve back into the track and hit the lying Michel, who had been thrown out, with full force. According to dpa information, the track doctor and the emergency doctors who rushed to the scene by helicopter were at the scene of the accident as quickly as possible and not only saved Michel's leg, but above all his life.
The Swiss bobsleigh association Swiss Sliding then demanded that the IBSF establish a safety commission and appoint a safety delegate. "It's not enough for us to be told that this is being taken care of," said Sepp Kubli, President of Swiss Sliding. Kubli and suggested the former world-class pilot, equipment expert and TV pundit Christian Reich as a competent person in all areas.
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