Commonwealth Games track cycling abandoned after rider flies over barrier and collides with fans in horror crash

Sunday's track cycling morning session at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was abandoned after a horrific crash involving both riders and fans at the Lee Valley VeloPark

Olympic gold medallist Matt Walls was injured after a multi-rider crash saw him sent flying over the barriers and into the crowd.

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The incident took place the second qualifying heat of the men’s scratch.

Walls received treatment for more than 40 minutes and was shielded by paramedics before being taken away in an ambulance.

Spectators were also hurt after he and his bike had come over the top of the barriers on the high banking of the corner.

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.

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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.

Canadian Derek Gee also surfed the top of the barrier but managed to avoid following Walls in the stands.

Witnesses said that, because of the gradient of the banking, spectators in the front row had been unsighted for the crash.

One man received treatment for cuts to his arm while a young girl also received minor attention.

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The Isle of Man's Matt Bostock was also taken to hospital with head and shoulder injuries while Canadian Mathias Guillemette was disqualified for causing the initial crash.

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

A statement from British Cycling read: "Following a crash in the men’s scratch, Matt Walls and 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."

Team England later added: "Matt is alert and talking - as he has been throughout - and is being given medical attention in hospital."