Bermuda's Commonwealth Games cycling team were involved in a serious scare on Thursday night when the car in which they were travelling was involved in an accident.

All the Island's riders avoided serious injury in the incident, which happened around 7.30 p.m. English time (3.30 p.m. Bermuda time) outside the Games village, but Steve Millington did hurt his arm and required treatment.

The accident happened when an official Commonwealth Games car in which the cyclists were passengers was apparently broadsided by another car as it was attempting a U-turn. The riders were on their way to the Manchester Velodrome to watch the track cyclists and were able to continue their journey afterwards.

National coach Greg Hopkins stressed that, although unfortunate, the team's preparations for today's road races had not been affected and all would be riding as planned.

"Fortunately nobody was seriously injured but Steve Millington did require some treatment to his arm and (medical assistant) Sharon (Fenn) took him to the hospital last night after being at the clinic here.

"Nothing is broken, it just appears to be quite badly bruised. He will be fine to ride, whether or not it will have any affect on him we will have to see."

Hopkins said the team were counting their blessings.

"It was obviously something of a scare," he said. "I picked Steve up at the hospital this morning at about 12.30 a.m. and came back and had a hot drink in the dining room and talked about it. He seemed in good spirits although it was a scare and could have been a lot worse had the car hit further along the side of the rear passenger door. It's a little bit unnerving but there's also the relief that it's not too serious."

Recalling the accident, Millington said: "One of our volunteer drivers tried to do a u-turn in the road and we got hit side on. The accident had a domino effect on the rest of the car and I was sat near the door so everyone squashed into me."

The rider said he feared the worst at first.

"At first I was worried because it (his arm) was quite sore but once I had iced it, it settled down," he said. "I have a little trouble twisting my arm right to left, left to right, but it's not going to effect my riding, that's for sure."

A Games spokesman confirmed the incident had happened and said: "We hope the team makes a complete recovery in time to take place in the cycling events."

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Greater Manchester Police were called to a minor damage road traffic accident on Mosley Road, Fallowfield, shortly after 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, August 1.

Slight damage was caused to two vehicles and no injuries were reported at the time. "A Bermudian athlete later attended the medical centre at the athlete's village complaining of pain to one of his arms."