[Nehkara]

3 Canadian bobsledders in hospital after training crash

Three members of the Canadian bobsleigh team were hospitalized Thursday after their sled slammed into the roof of the track during a training run.

The crash took place as the Canadian team was practicing for a World Cup event in Altenberg.

"I've never seen a sled so destroyed in one go in my 32 years in the sport," coach Tom de la Hunty told The Associated Press by telephone from the team's hotel.

He said pilot Chris Spring was taken to the University Clinic in Dresden to have a piece of wood removed from his lower back. Pushman Bill Thomas was in another hospital in Dresden, and Graeme Rinholm was in a hospital in Pirna, closer to the track. A fourth member of the crew, Tim Randall, was not injured.

Thomas was under sedation and expected to "make a full recovery," said de la Hunty, who did not have details on Rinholm's injuries.

Although Randall was not injured, de la Hunty said he was in a "state of shock, really like all of us."

De la Hunty said the "disastrous" crash took place in turn 16 of the track, often described as one of the most difficult in the world.

The sled, travelling at about 130 kph, hit the wooden roof over the course and came crashing back down, but never left the track.

"The entire front part of the sled came off and dragged through the sled with the athletes inside," de la Hunty said.

This sounds like a horrific accident. I hope the athletes can recover quickly and fully.