Matt Walls walks away from Commonwealth Games horror crash with minor injuries

Matt Walls of Team England suffered just minor injuries in the horror crash he was a part of at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday, which saw the rider and his bike catapulted into the crowd.

The 24-year-old was involved in a huge crash during qualifying for the men's 15km scratch race at the Lee Valley VeloPark. The session was suspended as a result of the incident, which also resulted in the Isle of Man's Matt Bostock being carried out of the velodrome on a stretcher.

Walls received treatment for about 40 minutes in the velodrome, before he was taken to hospital for further treatment. He was discharged from hospital in London with stitches in his forehead but "no major injuries", according to British Cycling.

Spectators were also injured following the crash, with some receiving medical assistance. A man received treatment for cuts to his arm while a young girl also received minor attention. Repairs to the track took place following the serious crash.

The British Cycling statement read: "Our best wishes go to all riders and spectators involved in the crash and thanks go to the medical teams for their expert care."

Walls, the Olympic omnium champion, who also rides for Bora-Hansgrohe on the road, ended up flying over the barriers between the track and the crowd after avoiding a crash that had happened lower down.

A Team England spokesperson said: “Matt is alert and talking (as he has been throughout) and is being given medical attention in hospital."

The morning session at the VeloPark was suspended, with spectators asked to leave while Walls received attention.

Eight riders, out of the 13 on the track, were involved in the crash on the last lap of the men's scratch race qualifying, which saw staff members rushing to help.

New Zealand's George Jackson and Australia's Josh Duffy crashed on the run in to the corner, and were moving up banking, which forced Walls up on to the barrier and then over it.

Canadian Derek Gee also hit the top of the barrier, but did not end up in the crowd, unlike Walls. Canada's Mathias Guillemette was disqualified for causing the initial crash.

Shortly afterwards, British Cycling provided an update on Twitter which stated that both Walls and Bostock were being taken to hospital. 

Later this afternoon, the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association shared an update on the condition of Bostock via social media which read: "Following the incident this morning in the Men's 15km Scratch Race qualification at the Lee Valley Velopark, Team Isle of Man rider Matt Bostock was taken to hospital for further assessment.

"A CT scan was done and the initial prognosis is positive. Matt is now being further assessed by a specialist to confirm that he has suffered no serious injuries," their statement read. 

"Team Isle of Man wishes to extend its best wishes to the other cyclists involved in the incident, in particular Matt Walls, and to the spectators who were injured and affected by the crash

"We would also like to thank the medical team at Lee Valley VeloPark for their swift and affective actions in response to the incident."

The next session began as scheduled, although was slightly delayed. 

It is not the first major crash of the Commonwealth Games on the track. Jon Truman of Team England broke his collarbone during Keirin qualifying on Saturday, with the 25-year-old knocked unconscious in the incident. He left the velodrome in a wheelchair.

A British Cycling statement read: "Following his crash in the men’s Keirin race yesterday, we can report that Joe Truman has a broken left collar bone and concussion and was treated by the brilliant staff at the Royal London Hospital. 

"He is now resting up and we wish him well in his recovery!"