German Medalist and Coach Dies in Rio After Taxi Accident
The 35 year old canoeing coach of the German Olympic delegation, Stephan Henze, was declared brain dead after having remained in critical condition at the Miguel Couto municipal hospital since last Friday morning (12), when he was part of a taxi accident on his way to the Olympic Village.
Medical sources told Folha that exams confirmed irreversible brain failure on Monday morning (15). Henze is still capable of some cardiac activity or basic reflexes, but the brain has stopped functioning.
On Monday evening (15), The German Olympic Committee announced the death of Henze, who coached the country's slalom canoeing team. "Our thoughts are with Stefan Henze's family, which has been here and has the opportunity to say goodbye," said Michael Vesper, head of the team's Olympic mission.
The announcement was made on the German committee's official site. The communication also said that, at the family's request, no medical details would be released.
"We know Stefan's Olympic spirit remains alive in many people," the family said in the note. According to the official statement, the coach died in the presence of his family.
On the day of the accident, Henze and his administrative assistant Christian Käding hailed a taxi at a bar in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood around 4:30 am. Minutes later, the vehicle, driven by 26 year old Artur Almeida Campos, crashed into a wall near the 500 block of Avenida das Americas.
Käding and the driver received light injuries and were discharged. Henze, who occupied the back seat, experienced an injury to the right side of then brain.
Originally taken to Lourenço Jorge hospital, in Barra, he was transferred to Miguel Couto in the Leblon area, which has a team that specializes in neurosurgery.
The German committee will ask the International Olympic Committee to leave all of the German flags in Olympic sites at half staff. Henze's death is the second death of an Olympic professional.
Last Thursday (11), the officer of Brazil's National Force, Hélio Vieira Andrade, died a day after being shot in the head by drug dealers in Vila do João, in the Maré Complex.
Translated by SUGHEY RAMIREZ