250: Locatelli 'in a very serious condition'.

There Can Be Only One Number of posts : 3271 Registration date : 2007-02-03

Quote :: Former 125cc world champion Roberto Locatelli has been left with 'numerous, severe facial fractures' after an horrific accident (pictured - note glove on track) in Saturday morning's final free practice for the 250cc Spanish Grand Prix.

The popular Italian veteran veered violently off the circuit and into a tyre barrier at the end of the hour-long session, prompting an immediate red flag. According to the Clinica Mobile, the Gilera rider is currently "in a very serious condition, in a pharmacologically-induced coma at the Intensive Care unit of Cadiz hospital".

Fortunately, tests are said to have already ruled out brain damage, but 'Loca' has suffered "terrible facial injuries, breaking all his face bones (nose, mandible, jaw, orbit and cheekbone)" as well as a left collarbone re-fracture and a serious open fracture-dislocation of the left ankle "which may not heal completely".

Clinica Mobile facial consultant, Dr Roberto Cocchi, will operate on Locatelli as soon as the nine-times grand prix winner is fit enough to travel back to Italy.

Crash