Motorsport: Japanese rider still in a coma

Japanese rider Daijiro Kato had failed to regain consciousness yesterday, more than 48 hours after suffering severe injuries to his head, neck and chest in a horrific crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.

"Honda team officials have told us he is still in a coma. His condition is still critical and has not changed since the day before yesterday," a family spokesman said.

Kato was flown by helicopter to an intensive care unit after medical staff battled for more than 30 minutes to get his heart beating again.

The 26-year-old slammed into a wall at just under 200km/h on approach to the chicane, completely writing off his Honda.