Belgian crash cyclist's condition improves

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2006

BRUSSELS (AFP) — Belgian cyclist Christophe Brandt, who suffered multiple injuries in a high speed crash, has been brought out of a medically-induced coma after showing signs of improvement. The 29-year-old Davitom team rider was due to stay in a coma for two days as doctors assessed his injuries following the accident on the Sels to Merxem Cup race.

But in a statement his team reported: "After doctors examined him and saw an improvement in the condition of his lungs they decided to bring Christophe out of the coma earlier than planned. "He is now awake and has been speaking with his wife. There is already a big improvement." In an emergency operation Tuesday Brandt had to have one of his kidneys removed. His spleen also burst although doctors were able to save it. Brandt...