England’s Matt Walls was involved in a terrifying accident at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday when he was catapulted over the barriers and into the crowd at the Lee Valley VeloPark. The Isle of Man rider Matthew Bostock was also injured in the crash.
Walls received treatment for more than 40 minutes before being taken away by ambulance, with spectators also hurt after he and his bike had come over the top of the barriers on the high banking of the corner.
The 24-year-old Olympic omnium champion was trying to avoid riders who had fallen in a crash lower down the banking but as he rode up he clipped another wheel and went over the top.
Witnesses said that, because of the gradient of the banking, spectators in the front row had been unsighted for the crash. One man received treatment for cuts to his arm while a young girl also received minor attention.
Canadian Derek Gee also surfed the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls in the stands while Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified for causing the initial crash.
The remainder of the morning session at the velodrome was cancelled and spectators were asked to leave as medical staff attended to Walls.
British Cycling tweeted later: “Following a crash in the men’s scratch, Matt Walls & Matt Bostock are being treated by medics before being taken to hospital for further treatment. We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can.”
A further update from Team England on Matt Walls said: “Matt is alert and talking (as he has been throughout) and is being given medical attention in hospital.”
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish