Team GB athlete Ben Gregory, 31, in a coma after suffering fractured skull in bike crash, fiancée reveals
A TEAM GB athlete is in a coma after fracturing his skull in a horror bike crash.
Welsh decathlete Ben Gregory, 31, “has a fractured skull, neck and multiple haemorrhages to his brain. He’s in a coma and on life support,” according to his fiancée Naomi Heffernan.
She added in a social media post: “Ben needs your positive thoughts and prayers right now. Those that know Ben know how strong he is mentally and physically, he’s a fighter and he’ll get through this.
“Please pray for him and send all the positive energy and thoughts you can muster.”
James Williams, the Head of Welsh Athletics, shared his wishes for Gregory’s recovery on Twitter.
Welsh Athletics said in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ben’s friends and family at this time.
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“Ben’s accomplishments as an athlete speak for themselves: Wales’ greatest ever decathlete – three Commonwealth Games, the Welsh record holder and representing Wales and Great Britain multiple times.
“The outpouring of support across social media is testament to his popularity as a person and as an athlete.
“Everyone who has had the privilege of training or competing alongside Ben will speak of his incredible love of life, his kindness, support and loyalty.
“We will all continue to pray for a full recovery for Ben.”
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“Hoping he pulls through,” said fellow Welsh athlete and former world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene. “One of the nicest and most positive people I’ve had the pleasure to be around at the track.”
Another fellow Welsh athlete and decathlete, Curtis Mathews, said: “He is a very special man, brings joy to everyone he is around and deserves no less than the best from life. I can’t describe how much I hope this champ pulls through because he is honestly the best of us.”
Gregory has represented Wales at three Commonwealth Games and also Great Britain at other events.
In October 2020 Gregory managed to escape serious injury in another bike crash.
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His bike was involved in a collision with a car in London but he was able to walk away from the incident.
Outside of athletics, Gregory works as a model and personal trainer.
