Van Gorkon, who won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, was rushed to hospital by ambulance after the accident where, according to the Royal Dutch Cycling Union, he was diagnosed with "broken ribs, a fracture in the face, a tear in the skull and damage to the liver, spleen and kidneys".

This is the second time the 27-year-old 2015 World Championship silver medallist has been in a coma having been in one in 2012 following a heavy fall.

On that occasion he suffered a bruised lung, broken ribs and concussion.

This accident forced him to miss most of the preparations for the London 2012 Olympics.

Bas de Bever, the coach of The Netherlands BMX team, asked that the rider, his girlfriend and his family be given "peace and privacy" after yesterday's accident.

Jochem Schellens, director of the National Sports Centre Papendal, added: "It is a terrible accident and, at the moment, our thoughts are with Jelle van Gorkom, his girlfriend and his family and we wish them all the strength in the coming period."

Van Gorkom's accident comes just over a week after Australia's Caroline Buchanan, a BMX finalist at London 2012, suffered a broken sternum, broken nose and a collapsed lung in a car accident.