A shocking crash has brought indoor cycling to a halt at the Commonwealth Games.
Team England’s Matt Walls was involved in the terrifying accident on Sunday morning when he was catapulted over the barriers and into the crowds at the Lee Valley VeloPark.
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.
Walls was catapulted over the barriers
PA
The 24-year-old Olympic 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.
The remainder of the morning session at the velodrome was cancelled and spectators were asked to leave as medical staff attended to Walls.
Canadian Derek Gee also surfed the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls in the stands.
Canada's Derek Gee crashes out of the Men's 15km Scratch Race Qualifying Round.
John Walton
The Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock was also taken to hospital with head and shoulder injuries while Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified for causing the initial crash.
Following the accident, Team England tweeted: "Following a crash in the cycling men’s scratch race, Matt Walls has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
"We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can."
It added: "Matt is alert and talking – as he has been throughout – and is being given medical attention in hospital.”
In a statement, a Birmingham 2022 spokesman said: “Following a crash at the morning session of track and para track cycling at the Lee Valley VeloPark, three cyclists and two spectators have been treated by the onsite medical team.
“The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment.
“We would like to send our best wishes to the cyclists and spectators involved in this incident and to thank the medical team for their swift action.”