Bobsledder hospitalized after crash on fatal track

Published Feb. 18, 2010 1:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

An Australian bobsledder was recovering in the hospital after crashing on the controversial track that claimed the life of a Georgian luger last week, The Times of London reported Thursday.

Duncan Harvey was involved in the accident while training for the two-man bobsled alongside teammate Chris Spring. It was understood that Harvey was conscious as he left the Whistler Sliding Center; although he suffered cuts to his face his condition was not thought to be serious.

The Australians were among seven teams that crashed during yesterday's training session, with the main event scheduled to begin Saturday.

The latest incident raised fresh concerns over the safety of the course in the wake of the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili last Friday. The Georgian racer died after losing control of his sled and slamming into a trackside steel pole at nearly 90 mph.

Olympic and International Luge Federation officials said the ice track was not at fault for Kumaritashvili's death and instead blamed pilot error.

Organizers since made alterations to the track by shortening the run, altering the angle of the ice at the fatal corner and raising the ice wall in front of the metal girder that Kumaritashvili struck.

John Furlong, head of the Vancouver organizing committee, spoke of his heartbreak over the death of Kumaritashvili.

"The day that happened was as heartbreaking a thing (as could happen), and I would say it was probably the only scenario that we were unprepared for. I got that call that morning and I felt like I had a phone call saying that my son had been killed," he said.