Serious accident

“I’m glad that nothing more happened”

Elias Bacher is in hospital after an accident.(Bild: Harald Bacher)

Elias Bacher from Pinzgau experienced first-hand at the weekend just how dangerous his sport of snowcross can be. The 22-year-old is in hospital in Finland following an accident and surgery and is waiting to return home. But he was very lucky in his misfortune. 

"I'm glad that nothing more happened," says Elias Bacher to "Krone". The snowcrosser had a racing accident in Nivala, Finland, on Saturday and jammed his leg so badly that it broke. The 22-year-old suffered a fracture to his tibia and fibula and underwent surgery that night at the hospital in Oulu, a two-hour drive away. "My calf is completely open," says the Bramberg native, outlining the two 30-centimeter-long scars that adorn his lower leg.

Open because Bacher suffers from what is known as "compartment syndrome". This occurs, for example, when a muscle swells too much after a fracture, causing blood vessels and nerves to be pinched off. This can cause severe pain and tissue damage.

Colleague died 
The Bramberger, who has not yet completely written off the season, knows more about his journey home after an examination today. But the fact that he is allowed to return home at all means everything to Bacher. At the beginning of February, a racer crashed so badly that a competitor ran him over. He died on the race track. "That's why you always have to look on the bright side," emphasizes Bacher, who was very lucky in his misfortune.