Nordic combiner Rainer dies after paragliding fall

Austrian nordic combined skier Alfred Rainer died early Saturday from the severe head injuries he suffered from a paragliding accident last week, the Austrian Ski Federation reported. He was 20.

VIENNA, Austria — Austrian nordic combined skier Alfred Rainer died early Saturday from the severe head injuries he suffered from a paragliding accident last week, the Austrian Ski Federation reported. He was 20.   
    Rainer was being kept in an artificial coma at a hospital in Innsbruck after crashing from 60 feet above the ground and suffering a craniocerebral injury, a bruised lung and several broken leg bones.   
    The accident occurred on Aug. 7 in his hometown of Maria Alm in the province of Salzburg, the federation said.
    Rainer won two bronze medals and a gold medal in the team event at last year's junior world championships in Tarvisio, Italy, and competed on the World Cup circuit since 2007.

    — The Canadian Press