Marcus Sandell, photo: Agence Zoom

The Finnish Alpine Ski Team was training in Pitztal, Austria, on Monday 28th September when Marcus Sandell, 22, had an accident during his first GS training run of the day at 8.30 am local time.

Sandell lost control of his skis and tried to regain control by skiing on one ski. He drifted to the side of the slope and was hard hit by rocks. Sandell injured himself in the stomach when hitting the rocks on the side of the hill.

Marcus Sandell got first aid on the site of the accident and he was transferred to the Innsbruck University Hospital by helicopter where he was operated by Dr. Wolfgang Horninger before noon. In the operation Sandells left kidney was cut out and a small injury in his spleen was repaired.

The doctor of Finnish Alpine Ski Team Eero Hyvärinen commented Sandells situation. "Marcus is now operated and is already getting better. After six weeks it is possible to him to start training again. But it depends on how fast he will recover", Hyvärinen told.

Sandell will stay in hospital in Innsbruck at least until Friday.

Sandell was relieved that he feels well after a serious accident. "I was conscious all the time and happy that I did not hit my head, I also feel relived that I was not injured even more seriously. I'm looking forward to get back to my sport as soon as possible", said Sandell day after the accident.

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