"The fall was not observed. No witnesses are known" - Swiss Police issue update on investigation into Muriel Furrer's death

The thrilling final weekend of the 2024 World Championships in Zurich, saw Lotte Kopecky and Tadej Pogacar claim elite Rainbow Jerseys. After the tragic death of Swiss junior Muriel Furrer following a crash in the women's junior race though, the Championships concluded under a dark cloud.

A heart breaking reminder of the dangers of the sport we love, Furrer's death rocked the cycling world and brought the topic of rider safety back fully into the minds of everyone. Although much remains unclear about the circumstances surrounding the incident, Swiss Police have now issued an update on their ongoing investigation.

"The Zurich Cantonal Police, together with the public prosecutor's office, have begun an investigation to fully clarify the cause and manner of death, as is usual in such cases," the press release begins. "Specialists from the Zurich Cantonal Police and the Zurich Forensic Institute secured the necessary evidence immediately after the bike was recovered. The racing bike was seized by the law enforcement authorities for technical inspection. The Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Zurich was commissioned to carry out the necessary forensic examinations."

Much is still unknown though. And the police have a lack of eye-witnesses to call upon to help clear things up. "The investigation into the circumstances of the accident is ongoing and has not yet been completed. According to initial findings, the rider fell near Küsnacht, while descending from the hamlet of Schmalzgrueb in a slight left-hand bend. There is no evidence of third-party involvement so far," the statement continues. "According to the current status of the investigation, the fall was not observed. There are no television images or other recordings of this to date. No witnesses are known."

"The investigations so far show that the athlete who had fallen was discovered unconscious in the forest off the track by a member of the track safety team. The emergency services, who were immediately called, arrived at the scene of the accident shortly afterwards and took over first aid. The exact time of the accident has not yet been fully clarified," they conclude. "Further information beyond this media release cannot currently be communicated."