Sochi Winter Olympics 2014: Track worker airlifted to hospital after being hit by bobsleigh

A bobsleigh hit a track worker at Sochi Winter Olympics.

The track worker has been airlifted to hospital.

The icemaker “suffered two compound fractures in the legs, but arrived conscious at the hospital”, the International Olympic Committee said.

The accident happened near the braking zone of the Sanki Sliding Center.

The man – whose name was not released – was hit by the forerunner bobsleigh used to check whether track conditions were suitable for athletes.

“It is unclear why he was in this zone or what exactly happened,” IOC President Thomas Bach told reporters.

An investigation is now under way.

The Sochi Games organizers said that a warning signal had been given before the forerunner bobsleigh was sent down the track.

Some reports suggest the icemaker – who was using a motorized air blower – may not have heard the warning announcement.