The images are chilling. Several people were injured in an impressive crash at a Commonwealth Games track cycling event in Birmingham on Sunday, including British competitor Matt Walls, who was catapulted into the stands.
The Olympic omnium champion was treated for more than 40 minutes after the accident before being taken by ambulance. Spectators were also injured by the bike and the cyclist himself.
“Matt is conscious and expressing himself, as he did after the accident, and is being treated in hospital,” Team England said in a tweet.
The 24-year-old was trying to avoid other riders who fell in front of him on the track during qualifying for the scratch race but, as he swerved on the raised part of the track, he snagged the wheel of another bike and flew into the stands. Witnesses said a man was treated for a cut arm and a young girl for unspecified injuries.
Qualifying was halted after the accident, which involved a total of eight riders, and the public were asked to leave the velodrome. Another British rider, Matt Bostock, also affected in the crash, was taken to hospital with head and shoulder injuries. Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified for causing the first fall.