Bobsleigh driver hospitalised at Winter Olympics after terrifying crash in final causing delays

An Austrian bobsleigh pilot has been rushed to hospital following a dramatic crash during the Winter Olympics four-man final in Cortina on Saturday.

Jakob Mandlbauer, 27, was navigating the second heat when his sled tipped onto its side and careered uncontrollably around the track.

Mandlbauer and teammates Daniel Bertschler, Sebastian Mitterer and Daiyehan Nichols-Bardi attempted to shield themselves by ducking their heads inside the bobsled as it continued its dangerous trajectory.

The sled eventually came to rest near the finish line, prompting officials to rush to the scene as spectators in Cortina and television viewers looked on with growing alarm.

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Bertschler, Mitterer and Nichols-Bardi managed to exit the bobsled themselves.

However, Mandlbauer required extended medical attention before being transported to hospital.

According to Austrian outlet Krone, the pilot remains conscious and has demonstrated the ability to move his arms, his body, and his head.

Medical staff are evaluating him for neck pain.

His three teammates were given additional treatment at the venue following the incident.

The crash left significant damage to the track surface.

Olympics volunteers were photographed working to repair the visible marks before competition could continue.

Once Mandlbauer had been safely removed and the course cleared, racing resumed at the Cortina venue.

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Two-time Olympic bobsledder John Jackson, speaking on the BBC following the incident, expressed the sentiment shared across the sport.

He said: "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."

The former British competitor's remarks reflected the anxiety felt by those watching as medical personnel attended to Mandlbauer for an extended period before his removal from the course.

The French team were also involved in a crash later on the bobsleigh event on Saturday.

All four team members escaped unhurt.

Team GB are also competing in the event.

The crew is led by pilot Brad Hall and comprises of Greg Cackett, Leon Greenwood, and Taylor Lawrence.

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