Bobsleigh Driver Hospitalised After High-Speed Olympic Crash Described as 'Car Crash'
Austrian bobsleigh driver Jakob Mandlbauer was taken to hospital after a high-speed crash during the four-man event at the Winter Olympics, an incident that Team GB icon Montell Douglas has likened to a controlled car crash. The 27-year-old athlete was involved in the terrifying accident during the second heat, resulting in a delay of over 15 minutes as medical teams stabilised him on the ice before stretchering him away.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
The four-man bobsleigh, carrying the Austrian team, reached speeds of approximately 117 kilometres per hour as it approached the final stretch of the Milano Cortina course. However, a wobble on a left bend caused the sled to veer off track, leading to a crash that sent it sliding uncontrollably down the ice near the finish line. Onlookers watched in horror as the bobsled overturned, with TNT Sports commentary later confirming that Mandlbauer was hospitalised after complaining of neck and back pain.
Three other members of the Austrian team managed to escape the ordeal relatively unscathed, but the lengthy medical response saw athletes pushing the bobsled as medics arrived, slipping on the ice in their efforts to attend to the injured driver. The crash ultimately led to the team's disqualification, as they failed to cross the finish line upright in the bobsled.
Team GB Icon Draws Car Crash Comparison
Montell Douglas, who has represented Team GB in bobsleigh, discussed the dangers of the sport on the BBC, offering a stark analogy for such crashes. "I often compare it to a controlled car crash, honestly. It's a big hit," said Douglas. "They will be feeling that, but they will be feeling taps from the track anyway. When you are going down the bobsleigh, there are five to six G-forces on your back, and in the four-man, they are going super fast, there is nothing that compares to that."
Other Teams Affected During the Event
The British team, led by Brad Hall and including Taylor Lawrence, Leon Greenwood, and Greg Cackett, participated in the same heat as the Austrian crash. They encountered some bumps but managed a solid first run. Meanwhile, the French four-man team, led by Romain Heinrich, tipped over at the end of their second run, though their incident was not as severe as Mandlbauer's injury. Footage showed the Canadian team, who had just completed their run, looking worried after replays revealed the Austrian bobsleigh overturning.
The Milano Cortina course is renowned for its extreme speed, with teams regularly reaching velocities over 70 miles per hour or approximately 120 kilometres per hour, adding to the inherent risks of the sport. This high-speed environment underscores why crashes like Mandlbauer's are so dangerous and why athletes like Douglas draw comparisons to automotive collisions.
