Nathan Van Hooydonck
Health update after horror car accident involving pregnant friend
Nathan van Hooydonck
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Nathan Van Hooydonck recently shocked the cycling world. The professional driver is said to have been in mortal danger after a car accident. His pregnant girlfriend was sitting next to him in the car when he suddenly felt uncomfortable behind the wheel. Now his team is giving a health update.
Terrible news reached us from the world of cycling earlier this week. The Belgian professional cyclist Nathan Van Hooydonck, 27, from the Jumbo-Vista team is said to have been in a coma after an accident and his life was in danger. Several Belgian media reported this unanimously, citing the police. Accordingly, the athlete suffered a heart attack while behind the wheel, which resulted in an accident.
Nathan Van Hooydonck suffers dangerous injuries
The accident occurred on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in Kalmthout, north of Antwerp. The 27-year-old felt uncomfortable behind the wheel of his car, ran a red light and then crashed into several cars. The Jumbo Visma driver was resuscitated at the scene of the accident and then taken to hospital. Particularly dramatic: his pregnant wife was sitting next to him in the passenger seat. “The driver was resuscitated on site and taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition. His pregnant wife, who was sitting next to him, was uninjured but was also taken to hospital,” said Patrick De Smedt, spokesman for the border police.
Team Jumbo-Visma confirms accident
On Tuesday afternoon, the Belgian’s cycling team confirmed the incident via X, formerly Twitter. However, the post does not mention any acute danger to life. “We can confirm that our driver Nathan van Hooydonck felt unwell while driving his car this morning and was involved in a road accident. He was subsequently taken to hospital where he is receiving good medical care. Rumors that his condition is critical can be confirmed “We cannot confirm this. He is undergoing further medical examinations. We thank you all for your messages to Nathan and the team.”
Shortly afterwards, the Jumbo Visma team provides an update on their member’s health on social media. “Nathan Van Hooydock is awake and has no injuries from the traffic accident this morning. His state of health is not critical,” says the statement issued by his team after the 16th stage of the “Vuelta a España”, given by Van Hooydock’s close friend Jonas Vingegaard, who dedicated his victory to him. Further medical examinations should now shed light on why Nathan suddenly felt unwell while driving his car. Fans of the athlete can initially breathe a sigh of relief.
Sources used: X, focus.de, eurosport.com