Tofik Beshir, a 19-year-old cycling star, is fighting for his life after being involved in a "head-on collision" while training near Lees-McRae College in North Carolina. He was hit by a car on a gravel road and remains unconscious in the intensive care unit.
Crash details and immediate response
The incident occurred on October 8 near campus in Banner Elk. Beshir was knocked unconscious and airlifted to the Johnson City Medical Centre in Johnson City, Tennessee. Timothy Hall, director and head coach for the Lees-McRae men's and women's cycling teams, posted a video update to Instagram about the athlete.
"This incident knocked Tofik unconscious, and he was airlifted to the Johnson City Medical Centre in Johnson City, Tennessee. He remains unconscious there in the intensive care unit," Hall said. "He is surrounded by his family, closest guardians, as well as President Dr. [Herbert l.] Lee King and Athletic Director Ed Winters of Lees-McRae. At this time, we request that he receive no visitors until it is time."
Career achievements and current condition
Beshir, whose parents are from Ethiopia but who grew up in the US, had just moved to North Carolina as a freshman at Lees-McRae College, where he is part of the cycling team. His talent had been noticed as far as Europe after he took the overall title in the USCX series, beating a number of seasoned pros and winning five out of six races. The final race took place just days before the crash.
A GoFundMe page set up to help with medical expenses stated: "Tofik and his family are currently in the ICU at Johnson City Medical Center. His injuries are consistent with brain shear trauma. He is not conscious yet, and there are still a lot of unknowns. Healing thoughts and prayers are what he needs right now."
Hall said he could not share more specifics of Beshir's injuries at this time. The GoFundMe page continues to seek support for the family as they remain at the hospital.
