Cycling at the Commonwealth Games was rocked by another horrific crash on Sunday afternoon which saw England’s Matt Walls catapulted over the barrier into the crowd, leaving athletes and spectators in need of urgent medical attention.
In the second qualifying stage of the men’s 15km scratch, there was a crash of several riders and England’s Matt Walls flew over the barrier and into the crowd, on his bike.
His racing partner Matt Bostock was taken away on a stretcher, while Walls, 24, received prolonged treatment for more than 40 minutes before being taken away by ambulance.
Spectators were also injured after Walls and his bike went over the barriers on 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 due to 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, while another member of the crowd was taken away in a wheelchair covered in blood.
English cyclist Matt Walls landed in the crowd during the final lap of the men’s 15km race.
Walls flew over the barrier and into the crowd, his bike on the final lap at the Velodrome
Spectators were left requiring urgent medical attention after the huge crash on the track
The 24-year-old Olympic omnium champion was trying to avoid riders in a crash further down
After the collision, the remainder of this session at the velodrome was abandoned and only a sprint was to be held before a break.
The remainder of the morning session at the velodrome was canceled and spectators were asked to leave while Walls was attended to by medical staff.
Walls and Bostock were treated by medics before being taken to hospital along with Derek Gee and two bystanders for further treatment.
An England team spokesman said: “Matt is alert and talking (as he has been throughout) and is receiving medical attention in hospital.”
England squad Matt Walls update:
“Matt is alert and talking (as he has been all along) and is receiving medical attention at the hospital”#Birmingham2022
— Ian Parker (@iparkysport) July 31, 2022 
The rest of the velodrome session was abandoned after the huge crash
The England racing team tweeted: “Thoughts are with all the riders involved in the accident at the velodrome.”
Scottish Cycling said: “Unfortunately we have just witnessed another major accident at the velodrome.
“Kyle Gordon was knocked down, but luckily he got up and got back on that bike.
‘Our thoughts with the two pilots who are receiving medical attention’.
British Cycling has taken to social media to release a statement about the cycling accident
Scotland Cycling also wished both riders the best of luck after the crash at the Velodrome
Welsh Cycling added: “We send our love and best wishes to those injured in the accident at the Velodrome today.
“On behalf of all of us at Welsh Cycling, we look forward to a speedy recovery.
“We can confirm that Will Roberts is fine and was not involved in the crash.”
Welsh Cycling also wished Matt Walls and Matt Bostock a speedy recovery following their accident
The next session will start at 15:00 as planned, but an update will be provided as soon as possible if this situation changes.
This came on the back of English cyclist Joe Truman being knocked unconscious after a horrific crash while riding at 45mph in the keirin, while his old housemate Jack Carlin won a silver for Scotland.
Truman suffered a broken collarbone in the collision, with the 25-year-old sent flying in the final lap of the keirin semi-final after colliding with Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer, who had fallen in the covered in front of him.
Truman had nowhere to go when Glaetzer touched wheels with Carlin in the second round of the event, sending the Englishman flying straight over the top of the Aussie at 45mph before crashing into the hard ground.
Joe Truman was knocked unconscious after colliding with Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer at around 45 mph.
Truman, 25, was treated by medics and taken to hospital after the crash for a broken collarbone and head trauma.
Team Australia’s Matthew Glaetzer and Team England’s Joe Truman crash during the second round of the Men’s Track Cycling Keirin on day two of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Lee Valley Velopark on July 30, 2022
This is the moment Truman crashed into the wooden bench of the velodrome at 45 mph
Team England’s Joe Truman is taken away by medics after a crash in the men’s Keirin on day two of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
The 25-year-old initially remained motionless inside the velodrome as medical staff rushed to his aid.
Upon regaining consciousness, the stricken rider was helped to a wheelchair receiving oxygen and taken to hospital for treatment with scans of the collarbone and head.
It is the latest setback for a rider who has spent the past two years battling back problems, putting him out of contention for the Tokyo Olympics.
After being treated by medics while unconscious, a shaken Truman waves to the cheering crowd as he exits the velodrome and is taken to the hospital.
Olympic cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy described the impact of the fall as “about the biggest you can get in cycling”.
“It reminds us how tough these guys are and how brave you have to be,” he said.
“Joe has had a lot of problems with injuries throughout his career, but he’s very strong-willed. I don’t know if he could have come back from the things he’s come back from,” Carlin continued in reference to the injury Truman’s back that ruined his campaign at the Tokyo Olympics.
“This is just another hiccup on the road for Joe … Hopefully it’s not too serious, he’ll be back on the bike in a few weeks and he’s got a lot to aim for … (next year) the Nations Cup, the Glasgow World Championships and the Paris Olympics, he has time on his side and, knowing Joe, he will come back stronger than ever.”
