18-year-old Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer dies after crashing during race in Zurich

Muriel Furrer, an 18-year-old Swiss cyclist, died on Friday after injuries sustained during a Thursday crash during the road world championships being held south of Zurich.

Furrer who was competing in the junior women's event suffered a head injury after crashing in a forest area. At the time of her run, the roads in the area were rain-slicked and she was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital.

On Friday, race organizers announced her untimely passing in a press release.

“Muriel Furrer sadly passed away today at Zurich University Hospital,” organizers said. “The UCI and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships offer their sincere condolences to Muriel Furrer's family, friends and her Federation Swiss Cycling.”

Olivier Senn, a director of the Swiss organizing committee and Peter Van den Abeele of the International Cycling Federation held a joint press conference following the release of the tragic news.

Senn told reporters that the incident is under investigation by local officials. The competition Furrer was a part of will continue in accordance with her family's wishes. On Saturday, races for the men’s and women’s elite divisions are scheduled to continue on the same stretch of road where Furrer suffered her accident.

Safety has been increased in the area following the crash, according to Senn, with additional safety personnel deployed throughout.

A young career cut short

In the same press conference, Senn and Van den Abeele both expressed their condolences to the young rider's family, with Senn announcing that public events to celebrate races scheduled on Friday in Zurich were to be canceled, according to Swiss Newspaper Berner Zeitung.

“We have lost a promising athlete who still had her whole life ahead of her,” Senn said.

"The cycling community is losing a rider with a great future ahead of her,” Van den Abeele continued.

Gino Mäder, 26, another Swiss cyclist also died, in June of last year. His death came after a crash down a ravine during the Tour de Suisse.

Senn was asked during Friday’s press conference about the similarities between Furrer’s death and Mader’s.

"It is another tragic death, there are similarities. But today it is not about Gino, but about Muriel, our thoughts are with her family. But I can't deny it,” Senn said.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for Paste BN. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.