Coach at European Games runs over group of swimmers in Azerbaijan

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WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT
Vanessa Sahinovic, 15, could be left paralysed after the horrifying smash
Bus hit synchronised swimmer and two teammates who were also injured
Driver has been arrested and bus company told it may also face charges

By Hannah Parry For Mailonline

Published: 09:44 EST, 13 June 2015 | Updated: 12:11 EST, 13 June 2015

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A synchronised swimmer may be left paralysed after a bus ploughed into her and two teammates at the European Games.

Vanessa Sahinovic, 15, had to be put into an induced coma yesterday after she suffered a broken spine and multiple fractures in the horrifying smash at the athletes village in Azerbaijan.

Her Austrian teammate Luna Pajer suffered a broken elbow while the third girl, Verena Breit, escaped with bruises. All three 15-year-olds were due to compete at the Baku European Games.

Scroll down for video

This is the horrifying moment when a bus ploughed into a group of teenagers at the Baku athletes' village

Vanessa Sahinovic, 15, had to be put into an induced coma yesterday after she suffered a broken spine and multiple fractures in the horrifying smash at the athletes village in Azerbaijan

Horrifying moment coach mows down athletes at European Games

Horrifying footage of the incident shows the bus mounting the curbs and driving into a group of top young athletes at speed.

The teenagers have no time to get out of the way as the vehicle, which did not appear to slow down before it ploughed into them dragging Ms Sahinovic underneath.

Driver Veli Ahmadov has since been arrested but authorities at the athletes' village have denied suggestions in the local media that alcohol may have been in factor in the crash.

Azerbaijani prosecutors said that the company which employed Ahmadov - Bakubus - could also face legal action for possibly breaching rules on employing qualified drivers.

Ms Sahinovic was put into an induced coma after the crash and has now been flown home to Vienna where she underwent a ten hour operation.

The group of athletes were crossing the road when the bus was seen approaching at some speed

It drives straight over the traffic island towards where the young Austrian champions are walking

Without slowing down, the vehicle hits into the group, injuring three of the synchronised swimmers

Doctors have confirmed she will survive but she may be left paralysed by the crash.

Austrian team press officer Wolfgang Eichler told the BBC: 'The doctors in their statement are telling us it's possible, but they need another week before they are sure about her condition, that is a normal scenario we are being told.'

'Vanessa underwent a very long operation having arrived back in Vienna on Thursday evening and we believe the operation has helped to stabilise her condition.'

Verena Breit has now returned to the athletes village having been released from hospital on Thursday.

Eichler added: 'Vanessa underwent a very long operation having arrived back in Vienna on Thursday evening and we believe the operation has helped to stabilise her condition.

Vanessa Sahinovic was dragged under the bus which appears to drive over the 15-year-old and continues driving

Friends of the seriously injured girl, who doctors warn may be left paralysed, ran over to help after the collision

'Our team doctor here in Baku is in constant contact with the team back in Vienna and we expect to be in a position to provide more information about the extent of the injuries to the respective athletes in due course.'

Earlier today, European Games organisers said they would look into allegations that some village staff had been drunk on duty.

Reports in Azerbaijani media suggested alcohol may have been a factor in the bus crash and that some staff at the village had been drinking on site.

The organising committee's chief operating officer Simon Clegg said claims of drunkenness were 'a very serious suggestion' and would be 'investigated immediately'.

However, there was no evidence to link the claims to the bus incident, he added.

'There is absolutely nothing to suggest at this moment in time that alcohol played any part in the tragic incident,' he said.

The incident was a tragic beginning to the lavish opening Games opening ceremony in Baku which was attended by 35 heads of state.