Prosecutors to investigate accident of Czech ski jumper, who is in coma

Prosecutors opened an investigation Monday into an accident during a ski jumping World Cup event that left Czech competitor Jan Mazoch in a coma with brain injuries.

Photo: Prosecutors to investigate accident of Czech ski jumper, who is in coma

The 21-year-old Mazoch crashed Saturday in difficult winds and appeared to bounce off the hill during his second jump. He was taken to the hospital and then transferred to another hospital in Krakow, where doctors are keeping him in a medically induced coma.

"Doctors describe his condition as stable but serious," hospital spokeswoman Anna Niedzwiedzka said.

A computer test Monday showed that the swelling of the brain did not increase but did not become smaller, either, she said.

Prosecutors opened an investigation into the accident because it took place at a public event, and was witnessed by many people, said Krzysztof Knapik, chief prosecutor in Zakopane.

"We know now that the effects are serious," Knapik said. "We need to find out whether it was in some way provoked by anybody, or independent of human actions."

Prosecutors will check records from the wind meter and recordings of the crash, reports AP.

Sunday's World Cup event, also in Zakopane, was canceled because of strong wind.