Details confirmed in tragic death of Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer, 18
by Luke Power · Mail OnlineDetails of an 18-year-old Swiss cyclist's final moments have been revealed after she died following a crash.
Muriel Furrer was competing in the Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Zurich on Thursday when she crashed and suffered a 'severe traumatic brain injury'.
The teenager was air-lifted to Zurich University Hospital in a critical condition and passed away on Friday.
Furrer fell on a steep left turn by the edge of a forest but nobody saw the accident, according to a Zurich police press police as per De Telegraaf.
The turn was 'more treacherous than normal' due to heavy rainfall which had affected the riding surface. The downpour meant the men's and women's junior road events were raced on slick roads at the nine-day worlds meeting.
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Furrer reportedly went undiscovered 'for some time' without anybody coming across her, and there are 'no television images, recordings, or known witnesses'.
Only when people noticed that she had not crossed the finish line did alarm bells start ringing, and she was found about an hour after her accident.
'The security services scanned the course after the race and then found her in the forest,' says the press release. No security operation was activated while the race was ongoing.
Their statement continued: 'The investigations so far show that the athlete who had fallen was discovered unconscious in the forest off the track by a member of the track safety team.
The emergency services, who were immediately called, arrived at the scene of the accident shortly afterwards and took over first aid. The exact time of the accident has not yet been fully clarified.'
The investigation into her death remains ongoing. Police seized her bike for technical inspection and forensic tests got underway shortly after the promising athlete had been taken away.
Swiss Cycling posted on X: 'Our hearts are broken. It is with a heavy heart and infinite sadness that we have to say goodbye to Muriel Furrer.
'We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness.'
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said: 'With the passing of Muriel Furrer, the international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her.
'The UCI and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships offer their sincere condolences to Muriel Furrer's family, friends and her Federation Swiss Cycling.
'Muriel Furrer's family asks that their privacy be respected at this very painful time.'
British Cycling also shared a tribute on social media, writing: 'Everyone at British Cycling is devastated to learn of the passing of Muriel Furrer.
'Muriel was a devoted young rider with a bright future ahead of her and will be sorely missed by the cycling world.
'We send our condolences to her family, friends and team-mates at Swiss Cycling.'
Furrer was a double silver medallist in the time trial and road race at the Swiss road nationals this year and finished 44th in the junior women's time trial earlier last week.
Road cycling team Movistar said: 'Sending all of our strength to the family, friends and team-mates of Muriel Furrer and to Swiss Cycling for this tragic loss.
'May she rest in peace.'