Kuala Lumpur: Just hours after winning the Malaysia Masters title, World No. 1 Kento Momota was injured in a fatal car crash when a van carrying him and three other passengers crashed into a 30-tonne truck which was moving at a very slow pace.
The van driver, identified as Bavan a/l Nageswarau, was killed in the 4.45 am incident.
“The van driver, a Malaysian, was found pinned to his seat and was later pronounced dead at the scene. His body was handed over to the police.”
“The four passengers, (who sustained light injuries), were rushed to the Putrajaya Hospital for treatment,” Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said in a statement.
Besides Momota, the three other passengers were British badminton technical officer William Thomas, Japanese physiotherapist Hirayama Yu and assistant coach Morimoto Akifumi.
According to an official statement issued by the Badminton Association Malaysia (BAM), the Malaysian government has been working with the Putrajaya Hospital to ensure best medical treatment for those folks who were injured in the accident.
“Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is deeply saddened by the accident that occurred this morning.
Van driver, N Bavan passed away while Japan badminton team members; player Kento Momota (multiple laceration wounds over the face & right maxillary sinus and nasal bone fracture), assistant coach, Hirayama Yu (laceration wound over right shin), physio, Morimoto Akifumi (cerebral concussion & closed fracture) and Hawkeye system operator, William Thomas (laceration wound over forehead & lower limbs) sustained few injuries but are in a stable condition.
BAM is working closely with the Malaysian government and the Putrajaya Hospital to ensure they get the best medical services.”
Malaysia’s Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad also said the four were in stable condition and would be discharged once hospital officials were satisfied they were fit to be released.
“Based on investigations and CT scans, there are no major injuries … They are now stable and will be given continued treatment and remain under observation for now,” Dzulkefly said briefly outside Putrajaya Hospital.
BadmintonPlanet would like to wish Kento Momota, Hirayama Yu, Morimoto Akifumi and William Thomas a speedy recovery. We would like to also extend our deepest sympathies to the family of N Bavan.
