Cyclists Matt Walls and Matt Bostock involved in horror Commonwealth Games crash reassure fans

Two cyclists involved in a horror crash at the Commonwealth Games which saw Olympic champion Matt Walls fly into the crowd have taken to social media to assure fans they are ok.

All cycling events were suspended after a crash at the velodrome which saw Oldham's Matt Walls fly into the crowd.

The crash during a qualifying heat of the men's scratch, happened on Sunday, 31 July, morning at the Lee Valley VeloPark.

Matt Walls went over the barrier with his bike into the crowd of spectators, which included children.

Screens were put up around the area of the stands in which Walls was being treated.

Matthew Bostock from the Isle of Man who was also involved in the crash was taken away on a stretcher.

Walls received treatment for more than 40 minutes before being taken away by ambulance, with spectators also hurt after he and his bike had come over the top of the barriers on the high banking of the corner.

Both Walls and Team England said he had been discharged from hospital with a few stitches but no major injuries.

Team England said in an update: “Following medical treatment in hospital, Matt Walls has been discharged with stitches in his forehead, but thankfully no major injuries. "We send our best wishes to all other riders and spectators involved in the crash and thank the medical teams for their expert care."

The 24-year-old Olympic omnium champion was trying to avoid riders who had fallen in a crash lower down the banking but as he rode up, he clipped another wheel and went over the top.

Matthew Bostock from the Isle of Man was taken away on a stretcher - has since taken to social media to say he was "quite battered but hoping to be back in time for the RR [road race] next week".

A member of the crowd has been taken away in a wheelchair covered in blood.

British Cycling said: "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.

"We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can."

Press Association journalist Ian Parker tweeted afterwards "That's the most frightening thing I've ever seen in a velodrome."

Team England said in a tweet that "Matt Wall has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks. "We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can."

They later added “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. 

The remainder of the morning session at the velodrome was cancelled and spectators were asked to leave as medical staff attended to Walls.

Two other riders – the Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock and Canada’s Derek Gee – were also taken to hospital, while two spectators were treated for minor injuries at the velodrome.

Walls had been trying to avoid riders who had fallen in an incident that began on the entrance to the corner. The stricken pair of New Zealander George Jackson and Australia’s Josh Duffy were sliding up the banking, forcing Walls up on to the barrier and then over it.

Gee also surfed the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls in the stands, albeit then falling heavily once back on the banking.

In a statement, a Birmingham 2022 spokesperson said: “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.

“The 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 to thank the medical team for their swift action.”

Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified from the race for causing the initial crash.

Granada Reports spoke to Matt Walls last week ahead of the start of the Commonwealth Games