Regis Laconi has been placed in a pharmacological coma following an accident at the start of World Superbike free practice at Kyalami.

The Frenchman crashed on his first lap around the South African circuit, his head making hard contact with the gravel to warrant immediate medical attention.

Stabilised at the track side before being airlifted to Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg, Laconi is suspected to have fractured his cervical vertebrae.

Laconi was subsequently placed into a coma for the time being in order for them to monitor his progress. Nonetheless, while Laconi is considered to be on the 'danger list', a press release issued by the DFX Corse team says Laconi has seemingly not suffered any neurological trauma and is able to move his limbs.

He is scheduled to be operated on tonight when two plates will be inserted to support his vertebral column where he has suffered his injury.

The team stated that he came off the track at a high-speed left hander, violently striking the top of his body and his head.