Rueda, Dettwiler evacuated by helicopter after frightening Moto3 crash

Moto3 riders Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital near the Sepang Circuit after a brutal accident during the sighting lap ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Rueda came out of the third corner of the track on the outside and found the Swiss rider travelling at very low speed, presumably as a result of a problem with his motorcycle.

The newly-crowned world champion, tucked into his fairing, did not see Dettwiler and crashed violently into the rear of the CIP Green rider, who was left lying motionless in the middle of the track.

MotoGP immediately implemented the medical protocol for such cases and sent the medical car to the scene. Once there, Rueda was transferred to the Sepang medical center, while the ambulance treated Dettwiler on the track itself. According to information provided by the international broadcast, both were conscious.

Half an hour later, the two available helicopters evacuated the two riders separately to a local hospital, where the entire paddock awaits news on the condition of Rueda and, above all, Dettwiler, who appears to be the worst affected in the incident.

Protocol prevents any race from starting unless a helicopter is available, which forced a change to Sunday's schedule.

While the MotoGP race will proceed as planned at 3pm local time (7am GMT), the Moto3 and Moto2 events have been rescheduled due to the incident.

The Moto3 race at Sepang will now start at 1:45pm local time, pushed back from its original midday slot, and will be shortened from 15 to 10 laps. 

The Moto2 race will follow the premier class contest, with the start time moved to 4:30pm local time.

Update: At around 5pm local time, MotoGP revealed that Rueda had escaped the incident with a suspected hand fracture and several contusions.

"Moto3 rider #99 Rueda is awake and alert, with a suspected hand fracture and a number of contusions," it said in a statement.

Later on Sunday evening, Rueda’s team Red Bull KTM Ajo confirmed that medical tests had revealed a fracture to his hand, adding that the Spaniard would undergo further examinations.

"Following the collision between José Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler at the exit of turn 3 during the Moto3 sighting lap, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider has suffered a fracture to his hand. Rueda is currently awake and conscious in the hospital."

“It was determined that Rueda did not suffer serious injuries to his head or torso, although he did suffer a severe concussion from the impact. He remains under observation, awaiting further tests on his hand and arm,” they later stated.

An update on Dettwiler's condition is still awaited.