Welsh triathlete in intensive care with brain and spinal injury after race crash

A Welsh triathlete has been left fighting for his life after crashing his bike during a championship race.

Nathan Ford, 37, from Swansea, had been leading the British Middle Distance Championships in Scotland before the devastating fall.

He has been admitted to intensive care at a hospital in Aberfeldy with severe brain and spinal injuries.

His wife, Catrin, said he is unable to breathe on his own and cannot move.

A fundraiser set up by the 33-year-old has raised more than £52,000 in less than 24 hours.

Catrin created the page to enable her and their family to stay with Nathan until he can be transferred closer to home.

Well-wishers included Team GB Olympian Non Stanford, who wrote: "So sorry to hear. Thinking of you all and sending love and strength."Jazz Carlin, who won two silver medals at the Olympic Games in Rio, wrote: "Thinking of you all. Stay strong."The race organisers said they are investigating Nathan's crash to find out the "exact details" of what happened.

The tragedy comes less than two months after Nathan and Catrin suffered heartbreak when their puppy was mauled to death by another dog.