LONDON: Three cyclists were taken to hospital after a serious crash during the second heat of the men’s scratch race at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

The remainder of the morning session was cancelled and spectators were asked to leave the velodrome after Team England’s Matt Walls and Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock were involved in the crash along with several other riders.

Walls was catapulted over the barriers and into the crowd at the Lee Valley VeloPark, the 24-year-old receiving treatment for more than 40 minutes before leaving in an ambulance.

Spectators were also hurt after Walls and his bike came over the top of the barriers on the high banking at a corner of the track.

“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,” a Birmingham 2022 spokesperson said in a statement.

“The three cyclists have been taken to hospital. The two spectators did not require hospital treatment.”

Walls, the Olympic omnium champion competing in the men’s scratch qualifiers at the London venue, was trying to avoid riders who had fallen in a crash lower down the banking, but he clipped another wheel and went over the top.

Team England said in an update: “Matt is alert and talking -- as he has been throughout -- and is being given medical attention in hospital.”

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 medical attention.

Canadian Derek Gee also surfed the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls into the stands.

Bostock was taken to hospital with head and shoulder injuries while Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified for causing the initial crash.

A total of eight riders went down on the last lap of the race, with medics and coaches immediately rushing to help.

An England coach climbed up the banks to reach Walls in the crowd.

The session resumed with the men’s sprint quarter-finals.

Most of the events at the Commonwealth Games are being held in Birmingham but the track cycling is taking place in London.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2022