Luis Salom passes away after Catalunya crash
Following an incident during today’s Moto2 Free Practice 2 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, it is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of Luis Salom (SAG Team).
The session was red flagged with just under 25 minutes remaining after the Spanish rider fell at turn 12.
Two medical cars and then two ambulances were immediately on scene to treat the 24-year-old and the medical helicopter was also deployed to assist in his treatment.
Due the severity of his condition, the decision was taken to transfer Salom by road to the nearby Hospital General de Catalunya. On arrival, he underwent surgery, but despite the best efforts of the trauma team, he passed away at 1655pm local time.
Salom made his World Championship debut at Jerez in 2009 in the 125cc category. He finished on the podium in 25 races, including nine victories in the Moto3 World Championship. He finished the 2012 Moto3 World Championship in second position in the standings and a year later was third overall after battling with Maverick Vinales and Alex Rins down to the final round in Valencia.
He also finished on the podium three times in 41 appearances in the Moto2 World Championship, including a second place pace in the opening round of 2016 at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
The FIM, Dorna, IRTA, RFME and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya wishes to pass on its condolences to the family, friends and team of Salom.
FIM MotoGP World Championship Medical Team Report
Today, the Medical Team from the FIM MotoGP World Championship and the Medical Team of the Circuit Barcelona-Catalunya reached the scene of an incident involving Spanish Moto2 rider Luis Salom at turn 12 during the second practice session for Moto2 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Upon arrival, the rider was in cardiac arrest. Considering the severity of his condition, the MotoGP World Championship medical team proceeded with securing the airways through orotracheal intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at trackside.
He was then secured with a neck brace and medical staff then introduced two intravenous lines and proceeded with chest compressions.
From arriving at the scene, it was quickly established that Salom was asystolic (in cardiac arrest). He was then administered with medications to cardiopulmonary and hemodynamically stabilise him.
CPR continued at the trackside for18 minutes, but taking into consideration Salom’s life threatening condition, a decision was taken to transport him by road in an ambulance.
Treatment continued for an additional 40 minutes during the ambulance transfer, but oxygen saturation deteriorated.
Medical staff proceeded with bilateral needle thoracostomy with air and blood aspiration. During the transfer they pre-alerted the Hospital General de Catalunya informing its ICU team about the evolution of Salom’s condition.
Salom arrived at the Hospital General de Catalunya at 1610 and he was immediately moved to the emergency ward where CPR continued from the medical team on site.
Once in the Hospital General de Catalunya, Salom was moved to theatre to undergo an explorative laparotomy from the surgical team.
The patient was declared deceased at 1655. Both the ground evacuation procedure, transport to the Hospital General de Catalunya, and the reception at the hospital was of the highest standard.
Dr. Angel Charte
MotoGP Medical Director
