Matt Walls crashes into the crowd at the velodrome. Photo / AP
Matt Walls crashes into the crowd at the velodrome. Photo / AP
The morning track cycling session at the Commonwealth Games was abandoned after a horrific crash.
Olympic champion cyclist Matt Walls and his bike were launched into the crowd in a devastating incident that brought down several riders, including New Zealand's George Jackson, in a sickening scene during the men's 15kmscratch race qualifying at the Lee Valley Velodrome in London.
Medical staff rushed to the area and were seen treating Walls and spectators in the crowd.
Walls, who won omnium gold in Tokyo last year, was taken to hospital but was alert and talking, while Isle of Man rider Matt Bostock was taken away on a stretcher and Canadian rider Derek Gee also needed attention.
It was reported one spectator was covered in blood as a result of the incident.
The rider who came over the barrier was England’s Matt Walls. A lot of concern here at the velodrome. One member of the crowd has been wheeled off covered in blood.
"Matt is alert and talking – as he has been throughout – and is being given medical attention in hospital."
A Commonwealth Games spokesperson confirmed three cyclists - Walls, Bostock and Gee - were taken to hospital, but said the spectators treated did not require hospital treatment.
"Three cyclists and two spectators were treated by the onsite medical team. The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment."
New Zealander Jackson, who went down in the crash but avoided the worst of the injuries, was able to get back on the bike and finish the race to, health permitting, advance to the final alongside fellow Kiwis Campbell Stewart and Corbin Strong.
After the early finish to the morning session, the afternoon session continued as planned.
