A crash at the German Track Cycling Championships in Dudenhofen on Sunday resulted in multiple spectators being injured when two cyclists careered over safety barriers and into the crowd.
The accident occurred during the men's elite keirin semi-finals, with the riders travelling at approximately 35mph when they lost control on the final bend.
Two spectators sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to hospital by rescue helicopter.
Eight additional spectators suffered injuries in the incident, while the two cyclists involved escaped with only minor injuries.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the incident that saw twelve injured
SWR
The severity of the crash prompted officials to cancel the remainder of the championship's final day.
The emergency response was substantial, with two helicopters, six ambulances and an emergency doctor dispatched to the scene.
According to Thomas Hauser, organisational director of the Vorderpfalz rescue service, a total of twelve people were affected by the crash, including the two cyclists.
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Two air ambulances landed at the scene, airlifting two spectators with serious injuries
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"The health of athletes and spectators always comes first. Cancelling the event was therefore unavoidable," said Oliver Streich, German Cycling's marketing and communications officer.
The decision to abandon the championships reflected the severity of the incident, which brought an abrupt end to what had been a five-day cycling festival at the Dudenhofen track in western Germany.
Jens Hartwig, chairman of Dudenhofen Cycling Club, expressed his dismay at the tragic turn of events, saying: "I'm shocked by the accident.
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"We've been enjoying a cycling festival here in Dudenhofen for five days. Of course, no one wanted the event to end like this. I wish everyone involved a speedy and full recovery."
Patrick Moster, sports director of the German Cycling Federation, provided insight into how the crash unfolded.
He explained it occurred during a scramble for positions four, five and six in the race.
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Patrick Moster described the event as a 'riding error'
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"It was a relatively high speed, where you have to have the bike very well under control. Then a riding error occurred, resulting in this crash," Moster told SWR Sport.
The eight spectators who were taken to nearby hospitals suffered abrasions and cuts, according to rescue service officials.
The incident marked a dramatic conclusion to what had been a successful five-day championship event at the Palatinate venue.
The German Cycling Federation re-emphasised that athlete and spectator safety remained their paramount concern.
"There was therefore no alternative to cancelling the event," the federation stated, with officials extending their best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in the crash.
The keirin event, which features riders reaching high speeds in sprint finishes, had been proceeding without incident until the semi-final crash brought the championships to an unexpected halt.
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