Etson Barros Leaves Hospital After Near-Fatal Crash
Portuguese record holder Etson Barros has been discharged from Faro Hospital more than three months after a devastating car accident left him in a coma. The 25-year-old Benfica athlete, a standout in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, will now transition to a specialized clinic in the Algarve to begin an intensive rehabilitation program.
A Long Road to Recovery
The accident occurred on April 16 when the vehicle Barros was traveling in overturned on a road between Estoi and Olhão. The distance runner suffered a traumatic brain injury and was placed in a medically induced coma with a guarded prognosis. Following months of acute care, his club, Benfica, confirmed that he is ready for the next phase of his journey.
“After a little over three months, Etson Barros has left Faro Hospital and will begin a recovery program at a specialized clinic in the Algarve, focusing on motor, nutritional, and sensory rehabilitation,” the club announced on its official website.
While his condition has improved significantly, the club noted that Barros still requires “some restrictions regarding visits.” He will continue to be supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists, his family, and his coach.
A Rising Star Interrupted
Barros, who holds dual Cape Verdean and Portuguese nationality, has been a dominant force in Portuguese athletics. He is a five-time national champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (2021–2025) and set a new Portuguese record for the event in 2025 with a time of 8:12.19 in Oordegem, Belgium.
His international resume includes representing Portugal at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, as well as the European Championships in Munich (2022) and Rome (2024). He also secured silver medals at the European Under-23 Championships in both 2021 and 2023, following a bronze at the Under-20 level in 2019.
Benfica stated that they will continue to monitor the athlete’s recovery closely and provide further updates as his rehabilitation progresses.
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