A cyclist suffered serious injuries while training in a mountain bike facility near Banyeres, Alicante, after a fall on one of the sport courts. Rescue teams reported that the man, aged 52, needed immediate assistance and was evacuated from the site by air. The incident occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m. in the La Fenasosa rural area, about eight kilometers south of Banyeres toward Onil, inside the sports center that hosts indoor cycling and mountain biking activities.
The exact circumstances of the fall have not been disclosed. What is known is that the rider sustained chest trauma and a pneumothorax, prompting an air evacuation. A rescue helicopter from the Provincial Fire Brigade Consortium, along with three firefighters, members of the Mountain Rescue Group, and multiple rescue units from the Ibi sub-park, responded to the scene. The operation required crane-lift assistance to load the cyclist onto the helicopter for rapid transport to a medical facility. The patient was then transferred to the Emergency Medical Care Service ambulance and driven to the hospital for further treatment. The rescue operation concluded around 2:43 p.m. local time.
Authorities have not released additional details at this time. The incident underscores the potential hazards associated with high-intensity sport facilities, even in organized environments equipped for rescue and medical support. Local safety officials and sports center administrators are likely to review procedures to prevent similar events and to ensure swift, coordinated responses in the future. This description is based on official briefings from the Provincial Fire Brigade Consortium and public safety agencies involved in the response. [Source attribution: Provincial Fire Brigade Consortium and Mountain Rescue Group reports]