A terrifying accident has left Swiss Moto3 rider Noah Dettwiler fighting for his life after a high-speed collision during Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix sighting lap.
The 20-year-old was struck from behind by newly-crowned world champion Jose Antonio Rueda at the circuit's third corner.
Dettwiler had been travelling slowly, apparently due to mechanical issues with his bike, when the 19-year-old Spaniard came round the bend and was unable to avoid impact.
The violent collision sent both riders flying from their bikes. Dettwiler lay motionless on the track as medical teams rushed to help.
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A terrifying accident has left Swiss Moto3 rider Noah Dettwiler fighting for his life after a high-speed collision during Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix sighting lap
|GETTY
Both riders were airlifted to hospital by helicopter in distressing scenes.
The incident occurred during Dettwiler's second full Moto3 season.
The Swiss racer's father, Andy, has revealed the terrifying extent of his son's injuries. He is said to have suffered multiple cardiac arrests at the hospital and lost a significant amount of blood.
"They fought for his life," Andy told Swiss publication Blick.
Air ambulances immediately escorted both Noah Dettwiler and Jose Antonio Rueda to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur
|GETTY
The 20-year-old sustained severe internal injuries, including damage to his spleen and lungs. He also suffered an open leg fracture.
Doctors performed several emergency surgeries to save his life. His CIP Green Power team initially confirmed he would need multiple operations at the Kuala Lumpur hospital where he was taken.
The team has now provided an update about 24 hours after the accident. Dettwiler remains in a stable but critical condition following his surgeries.
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"Noah has undergone several surgeries in the last few hours, which went well," CIP Green Power posted on social media.
"According to the doctors in charge, his condition is stable but still critical."
The team asked for privacy for Dettwiler and his family whilst thanking supporters for their messages.
Rueda was far more fortunate. The Spanish world champion is awake and alert with only a concussion and a fractured hand. His Red Bull KTM Ajo team confirmed he avoided serious injuries to his head or torso.
🚨CIP Green Power Moto3 has provided an update on Noah Dettwiler's condition: Several surgeries have gone well, the doctors in charge say his condition is stable, but still critical. Keep fighting Noah ❤️#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/gzrexG6qL0
— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 27, 2025
The motorsport community has rallied behind the injured riders. Francesco Bagnaia criticised officials for allowing the Moto3 race to continue after witnessing the helicopters evacuating both riders.
"To let the young riders in Moto3 do a 10-lap race in those conditions after seeing helicopters going away with two of them, it's not a perfect idea. I would never understand it," the MotoGP star said.
Alex Marquez, who won the Malaysian Grand Prix, dedicated his victory to Dettwiler and Rueda.
"My prayers and thoughts are with the guys. Still in my stomach, I have some stressed feelings, so just keep fingers crossed for them."
Franco Morbidelli admitted the day's racing was overshadowed by worry for the injured riders.
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