Austrian Snowboarder Breaks Neck in Terrifying Crash

Austrian snowboarder Markus Schairer broke his neck during a terrifying crash on Thursday at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, but doctors say they've ruled out permanent damage the Austrian Olympic committee said in a statement

Schairer fractured the fifth cervical vertebrae during a quarterfinal race in the snowboard cross event after landing on his upper back and neck on the course's final jump. 

The impact knocked the 30-year-old's goggles off his head, and left him lying on the ground while the race finished below. Incredibly, Schairer managed to get to his feet and finish his event under his own power. 

Schairer will be transported back to Austria "as soon as possible." 

This isn't the first injury Schairer has suffered while competing. In 2010, the snowboarder broke five ribs in a crash during the X Games, and in 2013, he fractured a joint and tore four ligaments in his left shoulder during another race. 

Photo: Getty Images


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