Team GB star Montell Douglas has compared Bobsleigh accidents to being in a controlled car crash. Austria Bobsleigh driver Jakob Mandlbauer was taken off on a stretcher following a high-speed crash at the Winter Olympics this morning.

The 27-year-old crashed in heat two of the four-man event after taking a left turn, forcing a delay of over 15 minutes before the medical team carried him away. The four-man bobsleigh reached 117 kilometres per hour as it neared the final stretch of the course, but a wobble on the left bend caused it to go off course. Spectators watched as the Austrian team crashed, causing the bobsled to slide uncontrollably down the ice. Later, TNT Sports commentary confirmed that Mandlbauer was taken to the hospital after complaining of neck and back pain.

Team GB's Douglas, who has represented her nation in the sport, was speaking on the BBC about the dangers of the bobsleigh and just how crashing can feel.

"I often compare it to a controlled car crash, honestly. It's a big hit," said Douglas. "They will be feeling that, but they will be feeling taps from the track anyway.

"When you are going down the bobsleigh, there are five to six G-forces on your back, and in the four-man, they are going super fast, there is nothing that compares to that."

The British team competing at these Games, piloted by Brad Hall, took part in the same heat as the Austrian crash. The crew, which includes Taylor Lawrence, Leon Greenwood, and Greg Cackett, did experience some bumps but pulled off a solid first run. However, another nation did tip.

The French four-man squad, piloted by Romain Heinrich, tipped over at the end of their second run. Though their incident was not as serious as the one that saw Mandlbauer injured.

Three Austrian team members escaped their ordeal, but a lengthy delay occurred while medical personnel stabilised Mandlbauer. Athletes were seen pushing the sled as medics approached on the ice, slipping in the process while attending to the driver.

Footage captured the Canadian team, who had just finished their run, appearing concerned after replays showed the bobsleigh overturning.

The crash caused the Austrian team to slide down the track near the finish line. However, the team failed to cross in the sled upright and were disqualified. The Milano Cortina course is known to be fast, with teams reaching speeds over 70 miles per hour or about 120 kilometres per hour.