BWF confirms Momota in stable condition after driver killed in auto crash

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) released a statement earlier this afternoon confirming that newly-crowned Malaysia Masters champion Kento Momota was in stable condition after he and 3 others survived a motor vehicle accident in Kuala Lumpur on Monday morning.

According to the BWF press release, Momota was treated at Putrajaya Hospital for multiple lacerations to the face plus right maxillary sinus and nasal bone fractures. He and the three other passengers in the van – Japan team assistant coach, Hirayama Yu; team physiotherapist Morimoto Akifumi; and Hawkeye system operator, William Thomas – are all in stable condition.

The driver of the vehicle – according to an article in the New Straits Times, a 24-year-old Malaysian man – was pronounced dead at the scene.  According to that report, the van collided with a heavily-laden 30-tonne truck at 4:45AM on Monday.

The BWF press release went on to say that they had a manager on site “at the hospital throughout the morning to provide assistance to all parties involved.”

BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund was quoted as saying: “Unfortunately, the driver of the vehicle was killed in the incident. The BWF would like to extend its condolences to the driver’s family.”

Of the four injured members of the badminton community, Lund said, “Their welfare is our number one concern and I can ensure all is being done to support them at this time. The BWF would like to thank the Badminton Association of Malaysia and all local emergency services for their swift action.”

Momota, who had apparently already withdrawn from the Indonesia Masters, was being transported from his hotel to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for his return flight to Japan.

Photo: Badmintonphoto