During the first lap of this morning’s free practice session at Kyalami, Règis Laconi (Ducati DFX) crashed in the section between turn 11 and turn 12.
Unfortunately in the crash the French rider, despite not hitting any obstacle, suffered a severe trauma to the cervical vertebrae striking the top of his head.
Stabilized at the track side he was transported by helicopter to the nearby Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg.
Laconi has been placed in a pharmacologica coma and reported as being on the danger list.
A CAT scan revealed significant cranial trauma and five suspected vertebrae fractures but no spinal cord injuries.
The French rider’s critical conditions will require an operation; two plates will be inserted to support his vertebral column which will be carried out by a neurological specialist in the next few hours.
A press release issued by the DFX Corse team says Laconi has seemingly not suffered any neurological trauma and is able to move his limbs.
TwoWheels sends Regis our best wishes and prayers for his full and fast recovery.