Warning: graphic photo below
BMX champion Caroline Buchanan has been severely injured in a car rollover.
The eight-time world champion posted a photo of herself on Instagram detailing her injuries, which included a broken sternum, broken nose and collapsed lungs.
She also posted an X-ray of her broken sternum.
She told her followers on Tuesday that she had been in intensive care, but had been moved into a private room in the New Year. She said she was OK and was "moving in a positive ... direction".
It had been a big 2017 for the 27-year-old until the crash - she won a world title in the mountain bike four cross after finishing second at the BMX world championships a few weeks earlier.
Buchanan was named the Elite BMX female cyclist of the year at the Cycling Australia awards in November and Canberra female athlete of the year in the 2017 ACT sport awards in December.
She competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, crashing in the final of the BMX race.
While clearly seriously injured in the graphic pictures she shared, which included an X-ray of her broken sternum, in Buchanan's typical manner she still took the time to wish her 108,000 followers a Happy New Year.
"I wouldn't say 2017 ended quite as planned. It's been a rough couple of days in ICU after a vehicle roll," Buchanan said on Instagram on Tuesday night.
"I just moved to a private room and everything is moving in a positive recovery direction.
"Injuries are ... Broken Sternum, broken nose, collapsed lungs. I'll keep you guys up to date as we go. Happy New Year! Off season just got a little more tough!!"
The cycling community and Canberra athletes were quick to wish Buchanan a speedy recovery, with Matildas striker Michelle Heyman, former Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan, Australia's fastest ever 100-metre runner Melissa Breen, and two-time national cycling champion Gracie Elvin posting messages of support.
"Thinking of you and sending all my speedy recovery powers your way," Breen posted.
This story first appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald
