Bobsleigh pilot Jakob Mandlbauer had to be helped off the track by medics and his team-mates on a stretcher after a big crash in the Winter Olympics.
The Austrian, 27, was competing in the second heat of the four-man final on Saturday when the sleigh veered on its side and was unable to stop as it hurtled round the track.
Mandlbauer’s team-mates Daniel Bertschler, Sebastian Mitterer and Daiyehan Nichols-Bardi were able to get out but he received additional treatment and was taken to hospital with pain in his neck.
The event was delayed for more than 20 minutes while officials rushed to the sleigh, sparking concern among onlookers.
Bertschler, Mitterer, and Daiyehan received additional treatment in the finish zone.
Two-time Olympic bobsledder John Jackson said on the BBC after the incident: ‘As a sliding community, we all want to see each other safe and healthy and being able to laugh and joke at the top of the track.
Bobsleigh driver Jakob Mandlbauer was taken to hospital after a crash in the Winter Olympics
The Austrian’s team-mates were able to get out of the sleigh but he received extra treatment
‘Nobody likes to see athletes crashing and you know things aren’t right because the medics are taking a little bit longer to take them off the track.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.