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  "path": "/sport/winter-olympics/bobsleigh-driver-hospitalised-crash-jakob-mandlbauer",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-21T12:33:07.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Winter Olympics star has face slashed open in horror speed skating accident",
    "American skier fires back at Donald Trump after 'loser' comments with gesture amid public row",
    "Winter Olympics star delivers X-rated message to viewers after winning gold medal",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAn Austrian bobsleigh pilot has been rushed to hospital following a dramatic crash during the Winter Olympics four-man final in Cortina on Saturday.\n\nJakob Mandlbauer, 27, was navigating the second heat when his sled tipped onto its side and careered uncontrollably around the track.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMandlbauer 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBertschler, Mitterer and Nichols-Bardi managed to exit the bobsled themselves.\n\nHowever, Mandlbauer required extended medical attention before being transported to hospital.\n\nAccording to Austrian outlet Krone, the pilot remains conscious and has demonstrated the ability to move his arms, his body, and his head.\n\nMedical staff are evaluating him for neck pain.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHis three teammates were given additional treatment at the venue following the incident.\n\nThe crash left significant damage to the track surface.\n\nOlympics volunteers were photographed working to repair the visible marks before competition could continue.\n\nOnce Mandlbauer had been safely removed and the course cleared, racing resumed at the Cortina venue.\n\n### LATEST SPORT NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Winter Olympics star has face slashed open in horror speed skating accident\n  * American skier fires back at Donald Trump after 'loser' comments with gesture amid public row\n  * Winter Olympics star delivers X-rated message to viewers after winning gold medal\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTwo-time Olympic bobsledder John Jackson, speaking on the BBC following the incident, expressed the sentiment shared across the sport.\n\nHe 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.\n\n\"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.\"\n\nThe 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.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe French team were also involved in a crash later on the bobsleigh event on Saturday.\n\nAll four team members escaped unhurt.\n\nTeam GB are also competing in the event.\n\nThe crew is led by pilot Brad Hall and comprises of Greg Cackett, Leon Greenwood, and Taylor Lawrence.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Bobsleigh driver hospitalised at Winter Olympics after terrifying crash in final causing delays"
}