Olympic hero Bolt in road accident

Kingston:

Olympic athletics sensation Usain Bolt was treated in hospital after a road accident, police said.

The 22-year-old overturned his BMW motor car on Highway 2000, one of Jamaica's newest highways, at about 1:30 in the afternoon, Sergeant David Shepherd of Old Harbour police in St. Catherine said.

The Olympic sprint champion, who was travelling with a female companion, reportedly walked away from the overturned vehicle with bruises. Bolt's manager Norman Peart said shortly after the crash that the sprinter was expected to leave the hospital soon.

"He was walking around and talking and his brother Sadiki was with him, and we expect that he will be released to go home soon," Peart said. While the exact nature of Bolt's injuries was not immediately known, Sports Minister Olivia Grange also said that they did not appear to be serious.

Bolt, who was treated at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine, had just returned to Jamaica from a promotional event for sponsor Puma in Boston last weekend.

Bolt was scheduled to compete in an IAAF Area permit meet in Kingston this weekend.

Police said the vehicle, a gift from Puma, was extensively damaged, after apparently skidding on the wet road.

Bolt won gold medals in the 100m, the 200m and the 4x100m relay at the Beijing Games last August, setting world records in all three events.