Cesena hospital drafts in police to protect Nicky Hayden from paparazzi

BUFALINI Hospital in Cesena has reportedly been put into lock down by police because swarms of paparazzi have been trying to reach injured superbike rider Nicky Hayden while he’s being treated for the injuries he sustained as the result of a collision while out cycling last week.

According to German publication Speed Week, paparazzi have made repeated attempts to reach Hayden’s intensive care bed so they can get exclusive pictures of him while he’s on life support in an induced coma.

Scenes outside the hospital are said to be reminiscent of those outside the hospital in Grenoble where Michael Schumacher was being treated following his skiing accident. Local police in Cesena have had to set up a cordon to contain the people arriving at the hospital for Hayden – not just paparazzi, but also lots of well-wishers and fans.

Contrary to several distasteful stories that emerged online over the weekend, Hayden has not died and remains in a critical condition after Thursday’s accident. His family are with him and have thanked the motorsport community, fans and medical staff for their support and help.

Honda WSBK team has confirmed that Hayden's ‘condition remains very critical & the clinical picture is unchanged.’