A cyclist who spent nearly a quarter of a century in a coma has sadly died aged 42.
Raul Garcia Alvarez, hailing from Villacastin near Madrid, suffered a devastating accident at the age of just 17 in mountains near the Spanish capital. Reports say he fell while travelling at 50mph before careering off the track and falling five metres down an embankment.
The horrifying incident came shortly after he had signed for professional cycling team Venta Magullo-B Melero – which was set to be the next stage of a promising career.
Along with the rest of his colleagues, in the month of his crash, Alvarez began to compete in the cycling competition X Vuelta Ciclista a la Sierra Norte de Madrid, that runs through the Sierra de la Comunidad de Madrid.
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He alone was able to participate in two stages, but the accident took place in the second stage while descending the port of La Morcuera. The injury caused the Spaniard to suffer severe head and chest trauma as well as a deep cut to his leg.
He was airlifted to hospital and underwent a four and half hour operation, but then unfortunately fell into an irreversible coma. He spent up to a year there before he was taken home and has been cared for by his family ever since.
After his death, Alvarez’s brother told Valladolid-based newspaper El Norte de Castilla: “We were with him until the last moment, and it has been hard, but he rests in peace.
(Image: CEN)
“Not even the doctors themselves thought he could live so many years. I believe that, if he has lived so long, it has been because of my mother’s care, because she has been watching over him 24 hours a day.”
Fans took to social media to share their tributes with one tweeting: “My goodness… 24 years in a coma and never woke up. My deepest condolences to his family.”
Another wrote: “He is resting in peace after his long ordeal, may God have him in his glory,” while a follower simply tweeted: “Rest in peace.”
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