Team GB decathlete Ben Gregory, 31, is fighting for life ‘after being hit by a car’ in bike crash

A top Team GB athlete is fighting for his life in hospital after fracturing his skull and suffering brain haemorrhage after a car knocked him off his bike.

Decathlete Ben Gregory, 31, who has competed for Great Britain and also for Wales in three Commonwealth Games is in a coma after the accident, his devastated girlfriend revealed today.

Girlfriend Naomi Heffernan said she had ‘never been so scared’ and he needed ‘positive thoughts and prayers’.

She wrote: ‘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.’

His injuries were sustained after being struck by a car struck on Friday, British Olympian Kelly Sotherton has confirmed. 

Details of the accident came just two days after Mr Gregory took to Instagram teasing some ‘exciting news’ that he hoped to share soon, accompanied by a video clip of himself exercising on a treadmill.

Mr Gregory shared video of himself running on a treadmill just two days ago, telling his followers that he had ‘some exciting news to share soon.’ 

The athlete’s post detailed how he completed warn up and running drills and an upper body and hamstring workout. He then did a cool down routine that consisted of a four-minute run and one-minute walk at what Mr Gregory described as a ‘cruisey sexy pace.’

He also included #train in his post, suggesting he may have been preparing for an upcoming event.

Ms Heffernan said on Sunday she has ‘never felt so scared, helpless and sick to the stomach.’

‘Ben needs you positive thoughts and prayers right now. Those who 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, Ms Heffernan said she knew ‘this is going to be a long road to recovery’ but she has faith he is ‘going to pull through.’ 

‘I’ll hopefully know more on Monday when they put a sedation hold on him,’ she explained. ‘His reaction to that will say which way this is going to go.’

Ms Heffernan vowed to keep providing updates on her social media and thanked everyone for their ‘lovely messages and kind words.’ 

She even noted that she planned to read the messages allowed to Mr Gregory when she saw him.

Fitness experts and athletes have issued their support for Mr Gregory in wake of this horrific accident.

Performance training coach Will Lafolafo shared photos of himself and the decathlete while also telling Ms Heffernan: ‘Prayers for strength for your family x friends.’

‘You can do this mate. You’re Ben Gregz,’ PT and crossfit trainer Jamie Wilson said, adding that he was sending love to Ms Heffernan and her family.

Welsh Athletics said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Ben’s friends and family at this time. 

‘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.’

Mr Gregory was also involved in a cycling accident in September 2020. He documented the crash on his Instagram account with a series of images holding his damaged helmet.

The athlete used the crash as an opportunity to reiterate how important it is to wear a helmet while riding. 

‘They do a job & they’re inexpensive when you think about what the alternative would be,’ he penned in the October 2, 2020 post.

‘Pick up a helmet when you ride a bike, just the same as you’d put a seatbelt on in a car. Be safe. Grateful to be in one piece after the collision on Monday. Thank you all so much for all the well wishes and support. It’s been a tough week but definitely on the road to recovery.’

Mr Gregory has competed in track and field for more than a decade and has found success at many competitive events despite setbacks caused by injuries.

He represented Team GB at the junior and senior level in European Cup matches and competed in his first Major Championships, the Commonwealth Games, in 2010 in Delhi. At the event he placed sixth, setting a new commonwealth record in pole vault.

He placed sixth again at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and set another lifetime best. However, he was two points shy of breaking the Welsh National Record, GetBuzzing reported.

He later set the new Welsh National Record in 2016 after he competed at the Mount Sac Relays and won the Decathlon.

Mr Gregory also held a modelling contract with London-based agency W Model Management. His modelling work as used for campaigns worldwide.