Kris Boeckmans in Medically Induced Coma After Crash in Vuelta a Espana

Cyclist Kris Boeckmans remains in a medically induced coma following a crash during the eighth stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Aug. 29.

Although he is set to remain in the coma for the "immediate future," Boeckmans is no longer using the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation mechanism—essentially an external lung—to breathe, as relayed by a Sept. 8 update from Cyclingnews. The rider still needs breathing support, however.

According to Boeckmans' team, Lotto-Soudal, the 28-year-old suffered severe facial trauma after running over a hole in the road and consequently hitting the asphalt, per Cyclingnews.

Teammate Thomas De Gendt offered his firsthand account:

"Boeckmans also has a concussion, three broken ribs and had a bleeding in his lung," Lotto-Soudal said in a statement, relayed by BBC Sport. "The doctors will now keep him in an induced coma for a few days."

Boeckmans was one of four cyclists unable to complete the stage, all of whom were involved in the same accident that injured the Belgian.