Injured Tour of Walla Walla Cyclist Airlifted from Waitsburg

WAITSBURG - A female Tour of Walla Walla cyclist was injured and reportedly rendered unconscious in a bicycle crash that took place on McKay-Alto Road north of Waitsburg during the race Sunday afternoon. Waitsburg Ambulance Service responded to the call and transported the cyclist to Waitsburg Elementary School playground where a Life Flight helicopter landed at approximately 4:25 p.m. to pick up the victim. She was reportedly being transported to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

The victim was identified as Sheila Croft, 40, of Seattle.

Steve Rapp, co-owner of Allego Cyclery, which organized the race, said his business partner, Michael Austin, was meeting with Croft's family in the Tri-Cities on Monday afternoon. Rapp said the last report he received indicated that the rider had received several skull fractures, undergone surgery Sunday night to relieve pressure on the brain, and was in an induced coma. "Apparently, the doctors are optimistic," he said.

There were no vehicles involved in the accident. "The hearsay is that four riders went down and she got dinged the hardest," said Rapp. "We are just really hoping that she is OK," he added.