England's Matt Walls involved in huge cycling crash
The remainder of the morning session at the velodrome was cancelled and spectators were asked to leave as medical staff attended to Walls.
England’s Matt Walls was involved in an accident at the Commonwealth Games 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 somehow avoided major injuries in the crash and was discharged from hospital by the evening with little more than bumps and bruises, but the severity of the incident – and the difficulty in removing him safely from where he landed – saw the rest of the morning session cancelled.
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.
Team England said on Twitter: "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."
They added in an update: “Matt is alert and talking – as he has been throughout – and is being given medical attention in hospital.”
Following a crash in the cycling men’s scratch race, Matt Walls has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
— Team England (@TeamEngland) July 31, 2022
We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can.
Two other riders – the Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock and Canada’s Derek Gee – were also taken to hospital, while two spectators were treated for minor injuries at the velodrome.
Walls had been trying to avoid riders who had fallen in an incident that began on the entrance to the corner. The stricken pair of New Zealander George Jackson and Australia’s Josh Duffy were sliding up the banking, forcing Walls up on to the barrier and then over it.
Gee also surfed the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls in the stands, albeit then falling heavily once back on the banking.
In a statement, a Birmingham 2022 spokesperson 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.”
Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified from the race for causing the initial crash.
