Bulgarian national team in serious bus accident: Player required surgery

The Bulgarian national football team has been involved in a serious bus accident on their way to play against Georgia in an incident which left one player hospitalised.

Midfielder Todor Nedelev, 29, required surgery on a head injury sustained in the accident.

"The Bulgarian national team suffered a serious traffic accident upon arrival in Tbilisi," read a statement from the Bulgarian Football Federation.

"On the way to the team hotel, the driver of the first of the two buses carrying our team lost control of the vehicle, causing a serious accident.

"After the collision, Todor Nedelev was taken to a local hospital. All other team members and staff of the Bulgarian national team are well."

According to the sportall.ge portal, the collision occurred when the first bus braked suddenly and was hit by the second.

Nedelev's operation

A further statement on Todor Nedelev's condition, who underwent surgery, was later released.

"Todor Nedelev's operation after a serious traffic accident involving our national team in Tbilisi was successful. The midfielder suffered a traumatic brain injury, which required surgery," the federation statement begins.

"Nedelev will remain under the supervision of the local medical teams, as well as the national team doctor.

"The Bulgarian Football Union and the headquarters of the national team express their deep gratitude to all medical professionals, to the representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Georgia and, in particular, to Mrs Ralitsa Dimitrova, as well as to the entire management of the Georgian Football Federation."

All night in hospital

Viktor Ignatov, the national team's press secretary, said the same thing, as reported by Btv television.

"The good news is that Todor is now stabilised," said Ignatov.

"We were in hospital all night.

"An operation was necessary and the decision had to be taken very quickly, because, God forbid, the consequences could be very serious, but fortunately they acted quickly."

Two weeks in hospital

Nedelev, who plays for Botev Plovdiv, is out of danger and will be hospitalised for two weeks. The player has made 44 appearances for the national team, in which he has scored five goals.