Driver “stable” but in artificial coma after WorldWCR crash

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Norwegian Mia Rusthen is in an induced coma in hospital – but her condition is described as “currently stable” – after an accident that overshadowed a historic first race of the FIM Women’s Circuit World Championship.

Rusthen crashed unnoticed at the final corner of the Misano circuit halfway through the opening race. The incident immediately prompted red flags, which led to the suspension and subsequent postponement of the race while Rusthen was treated at the scene.

She was taken away in an ambulance and soon afterwards taken to the Bufalini Trauma Center in Cesena with what is known as “polytrauma,” i.e. multiple traumatic injuries.

The WorldWCR series, which runs in support of World Superbikes, subsequently announced that Rusthen was in a stable condition. Her injury was initially described as a concussion before the diagnosis was revised to “a head injury with concussion”.

In an update posted by Rusthen on her social media account, she said she underwent successful surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage after being placed in an induced coma.

And Norwegian state broadcaster NRK has reported that she will remain under sedation until a CT scan can be performed on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury.

After completing the rest of the day’s program, the race was restarted for a five-lap sprint to the finish and was immediately red-flagged due to another incident, this time involving South African rider Jessica Howden.

Race control reported that Howden was immediately conscious, but he was taken to the Bufalini Trauma Centre with a concussion described in the series.

After the red flag was brought out because of Howden’s accident, a third start took place and there was further unrest when, in the chaos of the start, a driver crashed into the wall that separates the pit lane from the main straight. The driver involved, Lena Kemmer, was able to leave the scene of the accident on foot.

This time the race went successfully to the chequered flag, with MotoE regular Maria Herrera beating Moto3 veteran and 2018 Supersport 300 World Champion Ana Carrasco in a thrilling battle by 0.067 seconds.