British sprinters James Ellington and Nigel Levine “lucky to be alive” after bike accident

British sprinters James Ellington and Nigel Levine "lucky to be alive" after bike accident

BRITISH Olympic sprinter James Ellington said he and training partner Nigel Levine were lucky to be alive after a road accident in Tenerife yesterday.

By
Christian Miles

PUBLISHED:
00:02, Thu, Jan 19, 2017

| UPDATED: 00:07, Thu, Jan 19, 2017

GETTY

James Ellington put out a message on instagram to thank his follow for their support

The pair were sat on the same motorbike when they were hit by a car coming at them around a bend on the wrong side of the road.

“Overwhelmed and truly touched by everyone’s messages and support,” wrote Ellington on Instagram, where he sent a picture of him in a hospital bed.

“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.”

Overwhelmed and truly touched by everyone's messages and support, 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.

A photo posted by James Ellington (@jimmyells) on Jan 18, 2017 at 9:34am PST

data-ad-format="auto">

Ellington, 31, a 100m and 200m specialist and two-time Olympian, was a key member of Britain’s gold medal-winning 4x100m relay teams at the 2014 and 2016 European Championships.

Levine, 27, is a 400m runner who won a European outdoor relay gold in 2014 and an indoor relay gold in 2013.

The British sprint squad is in Tenerife for warm-weather training.

GETTY

Nigel Levine and James Ellington were both in Tenerife for a training camp

Both men were wearing helmets at the time of the accident and there is no suggestion at this stage of any wrongdoing on their part.

World and European indoor 60m champion Richard Kilty, who is in Tenerife with Ellington and Levine, tweeted: “Jimmy is one of the toughest mates I know and absolutely gutted and heartbroken out here!

“Pray for Nigel! Devastated for both of them, such an unfortunate accident, both strong and will be fighting through”.

Related articles

• Jessica Ennis-Hill set to be awarded World Championship gold medal

• Mo Farah sets sights on marathon after ending track career at Worlds

• Kadeena Cox: Multiple Paralympic record holder reveals plans

Latest videos

CBB: Viewers concerned as Nicola McClean covers her eye following Kim Woodburn row

BREXIT BEGINS: UK in trade talks with '12 NATIONS from around the WORLD', reveals Liam Fox

Stars shun Donald Trump’s invitation to perform at his 'elegant' inauguration concert

Shock report warns Britain to overhaul its overseas aid budget amid 'WASTEFUL' spending

Celebrity Big Brother 2017: Chloe Ferry WARNED by producers after naked Jedward bum rub

Masters Snooker: World No1 Mark Selby beats Mark Williams in final frame epic

Alex Thomson reveals hopes of winning Vendee Globe are fading after autopilot failure

Team GB sprinters James Ellington and Nigel Levine in head-on motorbike crash in Tenerife

Masters Snooker: Marco Fu beats Judd Trump to set up quarter-final tie with Mark Allen

Henry Paul set to be named Bradford Bulls head coach after Rohan Smith departure

Exclusive: Alex Thomson talks vividly on risking his life to make Vendee Globe history

Alex Thomson sets new world record in bid to become first Vendee Globe British winner

Masters Snooker: Mark Allen awaits Judd Trump or Marco Fu after thrilling John Higgins win

Basketball: Newcastle Eagles player-coach Fab Flournoy reflects on BBL Cup final win

Glen Durrant opens up about PDC ambitions after winning BDO World Darts Championship

"The NBA season will be extended to include more Global Games" – Commissioner Adam Silver

Pacers star Paul George on Nuggets loss: We fell into their trap and it’s got to stop

BDO World Darts Championship: Scott Waites comes from behind to beat Mark McGeeney

Denver Nuggets 140 – Indiana Pacers 112: Paul George can't inspire win in London

Former Denver Nuggets star Marcus Camby has dreams of NBA hosting All-Star games in London

NBA legends hold basketball masterclass for UK fans ahead of London Global Games

Keegan Hirst opens up about Wakefield move and status as only gay player in Super League

Exclusive: Indiana Pacers star Paul George looking to wow London against Denver Nuggets

BDO World Darts Championship: Jeff Smith hoping to silence Martin Adams again

David Bedford 'surprised and disappointed' by Seb Coe for not reading Russian doping email

Sir Dave Brailsford furious at UK Anti-Doping chairman David Kenworthy for comments

Sailing Exclusive: Dame Ellen MacArthur sends message to Alex Thomson during Vendee Globe

Original Article