Team GB athlete fights for life after being ‘hit by car in bike crash’
Star in coma as fiancee asks fans to pray for him
A FORMER Team GB athlete is in a coma and on life support after suffering serious head injuries in a bike crash, it emerged yesterday.
Decathlete Ben Gregory, 31, who also represented Wales at three Commonwealth Games, fractured his skull and neck, and suffered bleeds on the brain after being struck by a car.
His fiancee Naomi Heffernan said: ‘Ben was in a serious bike accident. He has a fractured skull, neck and multiple haemorrhages to his brain. He’s in a coma and on life support.’
Alongside a picture of Mr Gregory kissing her on the cheek at London Pride, she added on Instagram: ‘I’ve never felt so scared, helpless and sick to the stomach.
‘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.’
In another post, she added: ‘This is going to be a long road to recovery… but I have every faith he’s going to pull through.’
It is thought the accident took place on Friday shortly after Mr Gregory posted a video of himself running on a treadmill on Instagram, with a teaser that he would be sharing some ‘exciting news’ soon.
It is not known exactly where the accident happened.
Mr Gregory has a personal best of 7882 points and competed at three Commonwealth Games, finishing sixth at Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 before being placed seventh at Gold Coast 2018.
The popular Welsh athlete also won the England Athletics decathlon title during his career before becoming a personal trainer and coach in London.
Yesterday fellow athletes offered their support on social media. Retired Team GB heptathlete Kelly Sotherton, a three-time Olympic bronze medallist, posted: ‘He’s the energy we all love on the team. Sending all my prayers to you to fight this one.’ Dai Greene, a fellow Welsh athlete and former world 400m hurdles champion, said: ‘One of the nicest and most positive people I’ve had the pleasure to be around at the track.’
Welsh decathlete Curtis Mathews said: ‘I hope this champ pulls through because he is honestly the best of us.’
Miss Heffernan said she would know more today when doctors pause Mr Gregory’s sedation. Her fiance was previously involved in a cycling accident in London in 2020 when he credited his helmet with saving his life.
Welsh Athletics said: ‘ Ben’s accomplishments speak for themselves: Wales’s greatest ever decathlete – three Commonwealth Games, the Welsh record holder and representing Wales and Great Britain multiple times.
‘Everyone who has had the privilege of training or competing alongside Ben will speak of his incredible love of life, kindness and loyalty.’
James Williams, chief executive of Welsh Athletics, added: ‘He is the type of person you always want on your team.’
Mr Gregory was a promising youth rugby union player on the books at the London Wasps Academy before opting for athletics.