A cycling event at the Commonwealth Games has been abandoned after a high-speed crash left riders injured and a fan covered in blood.
The incident took place during the men's 15km scratch race qualifying round in London today (31 July), when English cyclist Matt Walls went over the barrier at the side of the track and flew into the crowd along with his bike.
Walls is thought to have been forced off the track while trying to avoid a crash in front of him.
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Medics treated the 24-year-old cyclist in the stands while spectators were asked to leave the velodrome.
The cyclist received treatment along with Isle of Man's Matt Bostock, who was also involved in the incident and taken away on a stretcher.
One fan was left covered in blood as a result of the crash and had to be taken away from the scene in a wheelchair, and a young girl had to be treated by medics after receiving a cut on her arm.
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British Cycling confirmed the incident in a tweet shared this afternoon, writing: "Following a crash in the men’s scratch, Matt Walls & Matt Bostock are being treated by medics before being taken to hospital for further treatment."
In an update, Team England added: "Following a crash in the cycling men’s scratch race, Matt Walls has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
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"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 a further update: "Matt is alert and talking (as he has been throughout) and is being given medical attention in hospital."
The incident took place after Team England cyclist Joe Truman suffered a crash of his own while travelling at 70km/h at the velodrome, where he collided into Australian defending champion Matt Glaetzer.
Truman was knocked out and suffered a suspected broken collarbone in the incident, after which he had to receive oxygen from trackside medics.
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In the aftermath of the events, six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy said such incidents remind us 'how tough these guys are and how brave you have to be'.
Walls' incident comes after her won omnium gold and madison silver for Team GB at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
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Emily Brown