Bobsleigh driver hospitalised at Winter Olympics after terrifying crash during four-man final – with event delayed by over 20 minutes while he received urgent medical attention
Bobsleigh pilot Jakob Mandlbauer had to be helped off the track by medics and his team-mates on a stretcher after a big crash in the Winter Olympics.
The Austrian, 27, was competing in the second heat of the four-man final on Saturday when the sled veered on its side and was unable to stop.
Mandlbauer and his team-mates Daniel Bertschler, Sebastian Mitterer and Daiyehan Nichols-Bardi attemped to duck their heads inside the sled as it hurtled round the track.
When it finally stopped near the finish line, officials rushed to the sled – sparking concern among onlookers and those watching from home.
Bertschler, Mitterer, and Daiyehan were able to get out but Mandlbauer remained down as he received additional treatment before being rushed to hospital.
Reports in Austria claim Mandlbauer is conscious and was able to move his arms, body and head, though he is being assessed for neck pain at hospital.
Bobsleigh driver Jakob Mandlbauer was taken to hospital after a crash in the Winter Olympics
The Austrian’s team-mates were able to get out of the sled but he received extra treatment
Two-time Olympic bobsledder John Jackson said on the BBC after the incident: ‘As a sliding community, we all want to see each other safe and healthy and being able to laugh and joke at the top of the track.
‘Nobody likes to see athletes crashing and you know things aren’t right because the medics are taking a little bit longer to take them off the track.’
Bertschler, Mitterer, and Daiyehan are understood to have received extra treatment in the finish area of the event in Cortina.
Olympics volunteers were pictured attempting to repair the track, which was left with huge marks from the crash.
Once Mandlbauer was removed and the track was cleared, the action was able to get underway once again.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
