James Cracknell fractures skull in Arizona truck crash

Olympic medallist James Cracknell is being treated for a fractured skull after he was hit by a truck while he was cycling in Arizona in the US.

The 38-year-old was filming for the Discovery Channel on a 2,500-mile stretch of Route 66 when the accident happened. Next month he planned to set a new world record by cycling from Canada to Mexico for a BBC series, which has now been put on hold.

Cracknell was thrown from his bike after being hit from behind by a truck on Tuesday afternoon, but is said to be making "good progress". He is in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Beverley, and their children at his bedside. He was not being filmed at the time of the accident, the Discovery Channel said.

Cracknell has undertaken a number of TV challenges with his friend Ben Fogle, who was flying out to see him in hospital yesterday. "My thoughts and prayers go to James and his family at this anxious time. Having spent many months in some of the toughest places on earth with him, I know how strong-willed he is and I'm sure he'll bounce back soon," Fogle said.