Gabriel Langton has been released from hospital and reunited with his England teammates following the terrifying incident that marred Friday evening’s men’s team gymnastics final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The 19-year-old, who plummeted head-first from the horizontal bar during his routine, was photographed wearing his silver medal at the team hotel after being given the all-clear by medical staff.
Team England shared the image on Instagram with the caption: “It’s amazing to see Gabriel Langton back at the team hotel with his silver medal. Thanks to everyone for all your support!”
The sight of the young gymnast smiling with his medal around his neck will bring enormous relief to fans who had spent more than 24 hours anxiously awaiting news of his condition.
Gabriel Langton has been released from hospital and was also awarded his silver medal
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INSTAGRAM/@BAZACOLLIE
Langton’s fall occurred when he failed to catch the three-metre high metal bar during his routine, sending him plunging head-first onto the floor below. The moment, broadcast live on TNT Sports, left spectators and fellow competitors visibly shaken.
Officials immediately halted the competition so that medical personnel could attend to the stricken gymnast. More than ten members of medical staff rushed to his aid on the arena floor.
Treatment lasted several minutes before Langton was fitted with a head brace and carried from the venue on a stretcher. He was reported to be conscious as he was taken away.
The teenager was subsequently transferred to hospital as a precaution, where he remained overnight. For nearly 24 hours, anxious fans received scant information about his condition.
On Saturday evening, Team England finally broke their silence with a reassuring update.
“Gabriel was transferred to the hospital as a precautionary measure overnight and underwent multiple scans today, with very positive results,” the statement read.
Medics rushed to the scene after Gabriel Langton suffered a terrifying fall | GETTY
“Thankfully, he has been cleared of any serious injury complications and will be discharged to return to the team hotel this evening.”
The statement confirmed that Langton was “in good spirits and hugely grateful for the many messages of support and the excellent care provided by the medical teams.”
He was, the team added, “looking forward to being reunited with the team to celebrate his silver medal.”
England gymnast Gabriel Langton was stretchered off after the horror injury | GETTY
Great Britain gymnastics head coach Barry Collie also shared the update on his personal Instagram account. British Gymnastics and Team England both expressed that they were “sending our love.”
Langton had only been called into the England squad earlier this month after six-time Olympic medallist Max Whitlock was forced to withdraw through injury. His absence from the podium was keenly felt as teammates Luke Whitehouse, Alex Yolshin-Cash, Josh Nathan and Adam Tobin collected their silver medals without him.
The incident clearly rattled the squad. Whitehouse, who was due to perform immediately after Langton, managed only 11.70 on the apparatus, placing him 23rd overall.
“From what we’ve heard, he’s doing OK,” Whitehouse said of his teammate.
“Gymnastics is such a dangerous sport and things like this remind us of that. It’s one of those things you have to put out of your mind.”
England finished behind gold medallists Canada, whilst Australia took bronze — their first men’s team gymnastics medal since Delhi in 2010.
