Opera singer Salvatore Licitra brain dead

CATANIA, Italy, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Doctors in Italy said singer Salvatore Licitra was declared brain dead Monday, nine days after falling into a coma following a scooter crash.

Catania Hospital doctors said the 43-year-old tenor, who had been called the new Luciano Pavarotti following his 1998 debut, showed no signs of brain activity when scans were performed Monday. He had suffered massive head and chest injuries when he crashed his scooter into a wall near Ragusa in Sicily nine days earlier, ANSA reported Monday.

Licitra's family announced they authorized donation of his organs and a public viewing for the body will be held at the Vincenzo Bellini opera house in Catania.