British Sprinter James Ellington has stated he and Nigel Levine are “truly blessed” to be alive, after suffering “career threatening injuries” in a motorbike accident
The pair were in Tenerife on warm-weather training before allegedly crashing into a car being driven by a tourist on the right side of the road rather than the left.
Both men are currently being treated in hospital, and are said to have both suffered a broken pelvis, while Ellington also suffered a broken leg in two places.
The 31-year-old required immediate surgery to repair broken bones in his tibula and fibula, while he also suffered two fractures in an eye socket despite wearing a helmet, and a broken pelvis. He is expected to have at least one more operation before returning to the United Kingdom.
Levine will also be given surgery to stabilise his pelvis before moving back to the UK, where he may undergo another operation.
It has not been revealed just how severe the pair’s injuries are, with doctors expected to announce it at the weekend or next week.
British Athletics have stated that: “Both athletes are receiving medical treatment and are conscious and stable. British Athletics medical staff are with the athletes and liaising with hospital staff over their treatment.
“We are in communication with their family members in the UK and will be keeping them informed of the situation.
“We will not be releasing further information on the severity of their injuries at the present time.”
Both have received an outpouring of online support from many famous figures in Athletics, including Greg Rutherford, Jo Pavey and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Ellington has also been visited by team-mates and family members, including British athletes Richard Kilty, Rabah Yousef and Martyn Rooney.
All here supporting our boy! He’s in good spirits! Real warrior ‚ù§@jimmyells get well soon mate pic.twitter.com/5ZZZQamSKK
— Richard Kilty (@RKilty1) January 18, 2017
Thoughts are with @Jellington100m and @NigelLevine. Terrible news. I really hope you can come back from this guys. All the very best. https://t.co/DxJZU2nue9
— Greg Rutherford (@GregJRutherford) 18 January 2017
My thoughts are with @Jellington100m and @NigelLevine Such great guys and amazing talents. https://t.co/KsfAP6zGAp
— Jo Pavey (@jopavey) 18 January 2017
The IAAF would like to send its best wishes for a speedy recovery to British sprinters Nigel Levine and James Ellington.
— IAAF (@iaaforg) 18 January 2017
The 31-year-old has competed in both the 2012 and 2016 Rio Olympics in the 100m and 4x100m events, as well as being a two-time European gold medallist in the letter discipline.
Ellington also famously secured his place at the 2012 London Olympic Games after auctioning himself on eBay, before a £32,500 bid revealing to be a hoax led to King of Shaves funding his eventual place in the 200m event.
Levine has also had his fair share of success, winning a gold medal at 4x400m in both the European outdoor and indoor Championships.
It is unlikely that the pair will ever reach the same level again, however Levine has since posted on Instagram that he and Ellington are “looking to bounce back”
“Overwhelmed and truly touched by everyone’s messages and support,” he said, “I truly am blessed as I do not know how me or my training partner Nigel are still alive,”
“Me and him are both strong characters and will be looking to bounce back from this horrific accident.”
