14.02 Sochi Worker Hit By Bobsled, Suffers Two Broken Legs

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia, February 13 (R-Sport) – A bobsled struck a track worker at the Sochi Olympic course on Thursday, leaving him needing surgery on two broken legs, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said.

The unidentified worker was on the track when a forerunner sled, used to test the track outside competition times, collided with him during a training session.

"A worker, we don't know yet why he was in the braking zone, was hit by a bob,” Bach said.

“According to our information, the worker is under surgery for two open fractures in the legs. But he was conscious when he arrived at the hospital, so there is no danger for his life at this moment,” he added.

“We don't know his nationality. This is a human being. We are pretty relieved there is no danger for (his) life.”

The man was conscious when he arrived at the hospital and has suffered compound fractures, Bach said.

Sochi Olympic organizers said it was unclear why the man, whose job was to prepare the track's ice, had been on the track while it was in use.

"During today's official bobsleigh training session and according to standard procedure, a warning signal was given ahead of the forerunner's bob beginning its run on the track," organizers said in a statement.

"Near the braking zone, the forerunner's bob collided with an icemaker. The worker was injured, received immediate medical assistance on the track, and was then taken to hospital. The reasons for the icemaker's presence on the track after the warning signal are currently being determined."

The worker was airlifted away from the Sanki Sliding Center. The incident caused a 40-minute delay to a training session for the two-man bobsled crews, though there was no change to the schedule for the team relay luge competition Thursday evening.