Young bicyclist Muriel Furrer, aged 18, tragically passes away following a mishap during a junior road race
During the women's junior road race at the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday, Furrer endured a severe fall.
Post-incident, Furrer was hastily airlifted to the hospital via emergency helicopter, as per the UCI's announcement.
With profound sorrow, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships Organizing Committee in Zurich, Switzerland, received the distressing news of Muriel Furrer's untimely demise. According to the UCI's declaration,
"The international cycling community mourns the loss of a promising young cyclist, Muriel Furrer. The 18-year-old cyclist suffered a serious head injury in a heavy fall during the Women Junior road race on Thursday, 26 September. Sadly, Muriel Furrer passed away today at Zurich University Hospital."
The UCI and the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships Organizing Committee extend their heartfelt condolences to Muriel Furrer's family, friends, and the Swiss Cycling Federation.
Respecting the Furrer family's privacy during this trying time is their humble request.
In a statement released on Thursday, the UCI acknowledged the ongoing investigation into the incident.
"As of now, there's no definitive information about the accident's cause. The competent authorities are actively investigating the matter. Due to the ongoing investigation, there are no additional details available at this time."
CNN reportedly contacted the Zurich Cantonal Police for comment.
The tragic news of Muriel Furrer's death has cast a shadow over the world of cycling, with many expressing their condolences for the loss of this promising young sportsperson. Despite the investigation into the cause of the accident, Furrer's passing during a junior road race at the world championships is undeniably a significant loss to the sport.
