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. Isle of Man rider Matthew Bostock and Canadian Derek Gee were also taken to hospital, while two spectators were treated for minor injuries in the velodrome.
Walls received treatment for more than 40 minutes before being taken away in an ambulance, with spectators also injured after he and his bike went over the barriers at the high edge of the corner.
The 24-year-old Olympic omnium champion was trying to avoid riders who had gone down in a crash further down the bank, but on his way up he clipped another wheel and went over.
Witnesses said that because of the unevenness of the banking, spectators in the front row had not been seen by the accident. A man received treatment for cuts to his arm while a girl also received little attention.
Gee also sailed over the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls into the bleachers, only to fall heavily once on the edge. Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified for causing the initial accident.
A statement from Birmingham 2022 said: “Three cyclists and two spectators have been treated by the on-site medical team. All three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment.” Picture: John Walton/ PA
In a statement, a spokesperson for Birmingham 2022 said: “Following an accident in the morning track and para track cycling session at Lee Valley VeloPark, three cyclists and two spectators have been treated by the on-site medical team. All 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 thank the medical team for their swift action.”
British Cycling later tweeted: “Following an accident in the men’s scratch, Matt Walls and Matt Bostock are being treated by medics before being taken to hospital for further treatment. We send our best wishes to the riders and viewers involved in the incident, and we will provide a further update when we can.”
A new update from the England team on Walls said: “Matt is alert and talking (as he has been throughout) and receiving medical attention in hospital.”
The rest of the morning session at the velodrome was canceled and spectators were asked to leave while Walls was attended to by medical staff.