Santiago - Hospital officials in Chile say Italian motorcyclist Luca Manca is breathing on his own and speaking with family members as he recovers from life-threatening head injuries sustained just over a week ago in the Dakar Rally.
Manca, 29, suffered serious head injuries on January 7 when he fell from his bike in northern Chile. He was airlifted to the Chilean capital Santiago and placed in an induced coma. He could breathe only with the aid of a respirator.
Dr. Alberto Munoz, the head of the intensive care unit at Mutual de Seguridad Hospital in Santiago, said on Friday that Manca's chances for a strong recovery were good.