It wasn't a lucky Ardia that took place on Saturday in Sedilo, due to the fall of a rider and the consequent involvement of four others to which a safety officer must be added.
Fortunately it seems that the conditions of all the injured do not cause concern, even if one of them was transferred to hospital by air ambulance due to a serious head injury.
The injured knights are Francesco Marceddu, Francesco Sotgiu, Federico Porcu, Gabriele Carta and Antonello Niola. The security officer is Giampiero Marceddu.
The accident occurred in the first part of the route when the riders were passing through the Su Frontigheddu slope which leads to the arch.
The first flag Mario Meloni, his assistants Michele Carboni and Costantino Atzas followed by a good part of the participants in the wild race had already entered the natural amphitheater at full speed and the accident involved the second group of the 100 knights and amazons from Seda who were taking part to the descent in honor of San Costantino.
While the leading trio and the other riders made the traditional laps around the sanctuary, the ambulances then rescued and transported the injured to hospital.
The mayor Salvatore Pes and the parish priest Don Maurizio Demartis also came down to the route to check their conditions.
Sa prima pandela Mario Meloni, informed of what had happened, decided that the race should continue as a step procession and so it was for the descent to Sa Muredda and the ascent towards the sanctuary which finally concluded the Ardia.
Words of praise for the responsibility assumed by the race leader were expressed by Mayor Pes himself. «Mario Meloni - said the mayor - demonstrated wisdom and balance in having the Ardia close in that way and tomorrow morning I am sure that the race will be beautiful and without accidents».
The mayor also had words of praise for the security service and for the healthcare personnel who were able to manage a difficult and demanding context with great professionalism.
