Mountain biking: Kiwi's horrific Games crash censored by BBC

12.00pm

RIVINGTON, Bolton - Footage of the horrific crash that landed New Zealand mountainbiker Sadie Parker-Wynard in hospital today was censored by Commonwealth Games host broadcaster the BBC, over fears her family would be distressed.

Parker-Wynard was the most serious casualty on the treacherous course, breaking her right arm and badly cutting her left elbow when she crashed on a notorious high-speed downhill stretch named Snakebite Alley.

The Aucklander was stabilised for 30 minutes before being airlifted to an ambulance, which ferried her to Preston Hospital, 32km north of the venue.

She was stretchered in a neck brace but was cleared of head injuries when she was assessed at the hospital's trauma unit before heading to surgery.

The BBC filmed the crash but a spokesman said the duty producer opted not to include it in a highlights package to go overseas, believing it would be too distressing for her family to watch.

As it happened Parker-Wynard's parents and husband Hira were at the course and comforted her before she went to hospital.

Bolton Mountain Rescue member Dave Marsh saw the crash, describing it as "sickening".

"She lost it on the rocks, hit a hay bale and must have flown 20 feet (6m) before she landed," he said.

Mr Marsh was one of the first emergency personnel to rush to her aid and described her as "happy, considering what she's been through".

Parker-Wynard was in seventh spot on the penultimate lap when she fell. Teammate Susy Pryde went on to win her second Games silver in the race, narrowly missing the gold.

New Zealand team chief Dave Currie said Parker-Wynard's surgery had gone well and she would recuperate in hospital for a couple of days.

He planned to visit her tomorrow.

- NZPA

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

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