British duo James Ellington and Nigel Levine back in UK for surgery
Tuesday 24 January 2017 18:55, UK
British sprinters James Ellington and Nigel Levine have returned to London and will have surgery this week on injuries suffered in a motorbike accident.
The 31-year-old Ellington and his training partner Levine were involved in a collision in Tenerife last week while on a training camp.
Ellington needs surgery on a broken leg having already admitted he and Levine were lucky to be alive. The pair were sitting on the same motorbike when they were hit by a car coming around a bend on the wrong side of the road.
Their injuries are not life-threatening but there are fears about their ability to compete again at the highest level.
A British Athletics spokesman said: "Both athletes have been admitted to hospitals in London where they are receiving specialist medical treatment for their injuries, under the supervision of British Athletics' medical team.
"James and Nigel both suffered pelvic injuries in the accident, with James also sustaining a facial fracture and fractures of the tibia and fibula.
"Both James and Nigel have been overwhelmed by the support they have received since the accident last week. They would very much like to thank all those who posted comments on social media and also for the kind words written by members of the press."
Ellington, a 100, 200 metres specialist and two-time Olympian, was a key member of Great Britain's gold medal-winning 4x100m relay teams at the 2014 and 2016 European Championships.
He tweeted: "Finally back in London, been through some dark days this week, but have my operation today and start my road to recovery.
"Wanna thank everybody again, for the support and all the messages, have read every single one, just not the energy to reply to everyone yet."
The 27-year-old Levine is a 400m runner who was born in Trinidad and raised in Northamptonshire. He won a European outdoor relay gold in 2014 and an indoor relay gold in 2013.
The duo will miss the 2017 season, which includes the World Championships in London.
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