International sports, skiing
Austrian skier Hans Grugger
Update 14 March Innsbruck, Austia (GenevaLunch) – Skier Hans Grugger, 29, critically injured in a fall during training in Kitzbuehel, Austria 20 January, was taken out of intensive care 21 February, and photos show him walking, a rapid initial recovery that doctors credited to his superb physical condition, according to the International Ski Federation.
The Austrian national champion was able to speak a few words and press his hand when prompted by 1 February, after being brought out of an induced coma, but he was still sleeping most of the time, doctors reported. He was taken off a respirator Monday 31 January.
Grugger spent several hours in surgery for head injuries following the accident and doctors initially said it would be another few weeks before a full prognosis can be made. He hit his head hard on landing, following a jump where he lost control. He also broke ribs and suffered lung damage in the fall.
By the third week in February, however, he was receiving several forms of therapy daily and responding well, with the outlook far brighter than the accident at first prompted observers to expect.
Links to other sites: AFP, FIS ski federation Grugger updates, Grugger home page (Ge)
Background, GenevaLunch
Finn, 7 December, swimming again (photo: ©2009 BaerenPark)
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Finn, the four-year-old bear at Bern’s bear park that attacked a mentally handicapped man who slipped into his cage in pursuit of a plastic bag, is recovering well from a bullet wound. Finn was shot 25 November by a police officer to force him to let go of the man.
