Share

MTN-Qhubeka's Brammeier back home

Cape Town - MTN-Qhubeka's Matt Brammeier has returned home following his horrific accident at the Tour of Utah.

VIDEO: Watch Matt Brammeier's horror crash (not for the faint-hearted)!

The Irishman sustained severe injuries in a collision with a race vehicle when descending from Guardsman Pass in Big Cottonwood Canyon. He was immediately transported to hospital by ambulance where he underwent several check-ups.

The injuries Brammeier sustained were significant, as he suffered fractures of the sacral and pelvic bones, as well as rib fractures on both sides, a bruised liver and fractured tooth. A small pneumothorax is resolved.

Brammeier and the team thanked the staff at the University of Utah Trauma centre who took great care of him. He is now back in Great Britain where he will undergo further treatment.

At the moment it is not certain when he’ll make his return. 

“We don’t expect him back on a bike for at least the next 6–8 weeks”, says team doctor Jarrad van Zuydam, who’s focus is on a full recovery to allow Brammeier a return to racing at the top level.

The Irishman himself is already focusing on 2016: “It’s looking like my season is well and truly over, so I’m looking forward to return hungry in 2016.”

Dr Jarrad van Zuydam - Team Doctor: "Matt arrived home safely and is recovering well. He will be getting about on crutches for the next few weeks to allow his pelvic fractures to heal. His chest injuries are not as severe as was first feared and his pain is already far better. We don’t expect him back on a bike for at least the next 6 – 8 weeks but we are confident that he will make a full recovery and a return to racing at the top level."

Matt Brammeier: "The last days have been tough as you can imagine but I’m starting to feel better already. I had some extraordinary care over in Salt Lake City and can’t thank all of the staff at the University of Utah Trauma centre enough. I’m still in a fair bit of pain, but overall, considering what I just hobbled away from I can’t grumble for one second. I’m just happy to be in one piece and to be back home with my family and fiancée and looking forward to starting my recovery process already. I’ve had one of my most enjoyable years of my life this year with the team and I can’t thank them enough for all they have done for me so far."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1831 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1802 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1093 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 465 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 192 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 258 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE