Police: Badminton champ Momota suffers broken neck, fractured cheekbone
PUCHONG: The world’s number one badminton player, Kento Momota, 26, suffered a broken neck, fractured cheekbone and stitches in the lip after being involved in an accident on the Maju Expressway (MEX), Serdang early this morning.
Serdang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Ismadi Borhan said the van was travelling to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) when the mishap occurred.
The van driver was killed while the rest were rushed to the Putrajaya Hospital for treatment.
Those injured were reported to be in stable condition.
“The case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and witnesses are requested to come forward to assist the investigation,” he said.
Momoto clinched the Malaysian Masters title on Wednesday after defeating Danish player Viktor Axelsen in the action at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. This was his first title to be won in Malaysia after becoming the 2012 Malaysian Open runner-up.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that the government was keeping tabs on the matter.
“According to the doctors, so far, all four are recovering well and are in a stable condition.
“We are monitoring all of them very closely.
“As the minister, we give our full commitment to ensure that they receive the best treatment,” he said, after visiting them at the hospital.
Also present were Badminton Association of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, secretary Datuk Kenny and Japan’s coach Park Joo Bong.
By Hema Subramaniam
