German canoe coach fights for life after Rio car crash

Gold medalist Joseph Clarke of Britain, right, watches silver medalist Peter Kauzer of Slovenia, left, jump as he celebrates winning the silver medal during the awards ceremony of the kayak K1 men’s final of the Canoe Slalom at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. AP

RIO DE JANEIRO — A German Olympic canoe coach is fighting for his life after a car accident left him with serious head injuries.

Stefan Henze, a canoe slalom silver medalist at the 2004 Games, underwent emergency surgery in a Rio de Janeiro hospital.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation said in a statement Friday the injuries are life threatening. Germany team doctor Bernd Wolfarth is contact with the doctors treating Henze in the neurosurgical unit.

Team official Christian Kaeding was in the taxi with Henze. The team says Kaeding was “slightly injured” and has been released from the hospital.

Rio Olympics spokesman Mario Andrada says the Germans were heading back to the athletes’ village in a taxi. TVJ