Further tests rule out Locatelli brain damage

Roberto Locatelli was yesterday showing signs of improvement during his second day at the Bellaria de Bologna Medical Centre, though he still remained in an induced coma. A third CAT scan has again ruled out again any type kind of brain damage to the Italian – and although recent tests have revealed new, unrelated injuries, none of them are serious.

As Clinica Mobile’s Doctor Claudio Costa explains: "The tests have confirmed an improvement of his condition, although a contusion in the thorax has been detected which affects the left lung, plus a fracture of the tibia and the fibula just below the right knee and some related ligament damage. However these injuries do not require surgery. With regard to the surgery on the left ankle undertaken in Cadiz, we believe that no further medical intervention will be required on the injury."

"From this point, the medical procedure will be to bring Roberto out of his pharmacologically induced coma and to assess his general state. He will require a subsequent facial examination to further evaluate the numerous fractures he has, but doctor Roberto Cocchi has advised us that that he will only require minimal surgery in that area."

The relevant MotoGP organizations have opened their investigation into the specific causes of Locatelli's accident last Saturday in Jerez. Aprilia are of course offering maximum cooperation. Meanwhile Dorna Sports are studying high-resolution images of the accident captured by a television camera in a fixed position at trackside. The analysis of this video should help to clarify the reasons behind Locatelli's crash.