Team England gymnast Gabriel Langton was stretchered off after suffering a sickening fall at the Commonwealth Games on Friday.
Langton, who was a late replacement for multiple Olympic medallist Max Whitlock, fell off the high bar after missing a grab midway through his routine and landed on his head.
The competition was delayed while the 18-year-old received treatment from medical staff before he was put in a neck brace and taken from the arena on a stretcher.
Whitlock, who missed the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow due to a hand injury, saw Langton’s fall as he was part of TNT Sports’ team covering the event
‘We’ve heard… it’s not official yet but we saw he was moving his arms and moving his legs. It was a horrible fall on the high bar,’ Whitlock said.
‘Both hands came off the bar, which is unusual on a skill like that, and then coming down onto his head from that height. It wasn’t nice to watch, it wasn’t nice to be in the arena, the atmosphere you could feel a big drop in it. It’s one of those things that when it happens in any kind of competition or sport, the whole atmosphere changes. It puts a lot into perspective.
‘Everyone is rushing towards these results and these medals but it brings you back down to earth and you realise everyone is human just trying to do the best they can. Everyone’s thoughts are with him and I’m sure he is in good hands.’
England finished second behind Canada in the men’s team final, while Australia ended up in third.
Langton’s England teammate, Joshua Nathan, said after winning the silver medal: ‘It’s honestly hard to put into words. Today has been such a rollercoaster.
‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with Gabriel after what happened on high bar. But the way this team came together was incredible. I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.’
Luke Whitehouse, who was also part of the England gymnast team, said: ‘It was really tough.
‘We just had to reset, try to put it to one side mentally and focus on the job we had to do. I think everyone should be proud of the way we carried on after Gabe’s fall.’
A Team England spokesperson said: ‘Team England’s Gabriel Langton had a fall at tonight’s Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Individual Qualification and Team Final competition. We are grateful to the medical teams who responded immediately to provide assistance.
‘He has been taken to hospital and we will share more information when it is available.’
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