Serious nautical accident in the Po: four boats involved, Norwegian pilot in intensive care

Serious nautical accident in the waters of the Po in the Piacenza area: in San Nazzaro di Monticelli d'Ongina, where the "Emilia-Romagna Region Grand Prix" was taking place since 28 August, the third stage of the F2 World Championship and the Osy 400 European Championship, four hulls collided with each other. The conditions of a young F2 driver, of Norwegian nationality, André Faye Solvang, 22 years old, hospitalized in intensive care, with a reserved prognosis, are particularly serious.

The accident, according to the online newspaper Libertà di Piacenza, was apparently triggered by the capsizing of a hull at the beginning of the heat, which involved other boats. The race was immediately stopped and rescue services began. Witnesses speak of four pilots brought to shore and rescued, both by the medical staff on duty at the race and by the ambulances that arrived in support. The most serious was the Norwegian pilot, who was taken to Parma hospital by helicopter. There are three injured, all foreigners: in addition to Solvang, a colleague escaped almost unscathed and another who suffered minor trauma and was transferred by ambulance to Piacenza hospital.

The race was suspended and all safety procedures were activated while the Carabinieri seized the boats involved in the accident.