Commonwealth Games 2018: Scotland's Callum Hawkins collapses in marathon

SCOTLAND’s Callum Hawkins was taken away in an ambulance after collapsing just over one mile from the end of the marathon at the Commonwealth Games.

In hot conditions on the Gold Coast, the 25-year-old had a two-minute lead and looked set for gold but began weaving before falling over the kerb.

He continued for another couple of hundred metres before collapsing again, hitting his head on a roadside barrier.

Hawkins was conscious, sitting up and talking when helped into an ambulance.

Compatriot Robbie Simpson took bronze in a race won by Australia's Mike Shelley in two hours 16 minutes 46 seconds, with Uganda's Munyo Solomon Mutai second.

Team Scotland said Hawkins would remain in Gold Coast University Hospital overnight as a precaution and will be assessed on Monday by their medical team.

Hawkins said he was “feeling much better.”

Peter Jardine of Scottish Athletics had earlier told BBC Scotland that Hawkins, who had been running for a little over two hours, initially refused medical treatment after collapsing because he “feared he would be disqualified.”

Scotland's Steph Twell, who finished seventh in the 1,500m, ran to the scene and helped Hawkins as he was taken away. Medical help ‘a disgrace’

It had taken a couple of minutes for any medical staff to attend to the Scot, who was lying on the road in clear distress with spectators looking on, some taking photographs.

BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram said it was “a disgrace” it took so long for any paramedics to attend to Hawkins.

Cram added: “I’m just concerned for his welfare. He hit his head on the barrier. I’m sorry if you’re watching this at home, it’s really distressing. He’s going to hurt himself and there’s nobody anywhere near.