Austrian snowboarder Markus Schairer has landed on his back, breaking his neck in a horror crash on during competition on Thursday in Pyeongchang. Schairer fractured his fifth vertabrae in the crash, with the shocking wipe out occurring during the quarterfinals of the snowboard cross event at the Winter Olympics.
The awkward landing came after Schairer hit the course’s final jump whilst in fourth position, and left the Olympian on the ground while the race finished. The impact of the landing can be clearly seen, sending his goggles flying when his head snaps backwards, rendering his body limp. Miraculously, he managed to return to his feet and complete the race, despite the serious injury.
In a statement released today by the Austrian Olympic Committee, there are no apparent signs of neurological impairment or serious damage, however Schairer will be transported back to Austria as soon as possible for further observation and treatment.
The 30 year old is an Olympic veteran, having competed in both the Vancouver and Sochi Games, as well as a host of World Cup and X Games appearances under his belt.
