Three cyclists have been taken to hospital and spectators have been injured following a horrific crash during a heat of the men’s scratch race at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Key points:
- England’s Matt Walls was one of three cyclists taken to hospital
- Walls was catapulted over the barriers and into the velodrome crowd
- Spectators also received medical treatment at the velodrome
England’s Matt Walls and Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock were involved in the crash along with several other riders.
Walls was catapulted over the barriers and into the crowd at the Lee Valley VeloPark. The 24-year-old received treatment for more than 40 minutes before leaving the velodrome in an ambulance.
Spectators were also hurt after Walls and his bike came over the top of the barriers on the high banking at a corner of the track.
Walls was trying to avoid riders who had failed in a crash lower down the banking, but he clipped another wheel and went over the top.
“Three cyclists and two spectators have been treated by the onsite medical team,” a Birmingham 2022 statement read.
“The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment.”
England team officials said Walls was to undergo “precautionary checks” in hospital.
The remainder of the morning Commonwealth Games cycling session was canceled and spectators were asked to leave the velodrome.
Walls won Olympic gold for Great Britain in Tokyo last year in the men’s omnium.
The crash came a day after Australia’s Matt Glaetzer collided with England’s Joe Truman on the banked corner during the second round of the men’s keirin.
Both riders hit the ground at more than 70 kilometers per hour, with the Englishman losing consciousness on impact.
Glaetzer was able to pick himself up and limp away, with his thin race suit in tatters.
Truman slid to a stop on his front and lay motionless for several, worrying minutes amid a concerned hush at the usually raucous velodrome.
Glaetzer returned to the velodrome on Sunday to compete in the qualifying stage of the men’s sprint.
Reuters/ABC
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