HAMPSHIRE'S Olympic champion cyclist has been left with serious injuries in a training session pile-up.

Dani King, who shot to fame by winning gold at London 2012, suffered five broken ribs and a collapsed lung after coming off her bike in Wales.

The 23-year-old, from Hamble, remained last night in intensive care in a hospital in Wales with her family at her bedside.

Her father last night told the Daily Echo how his daughter had at first feared she might have a spinal injury.

Dani, who is now based in Cardiff, was on a training session on Thursday afternoon with a group of around 10 riders, including Team Sky rider Luke Rowe.

Sixty miles into an 88-mile route, in Merthyr Tydfil, one cyclist hit a pothole covered by a puddle.

Dani was brought down in the ensuing crash and another rider fell on top of her, her father Trevor King said.

She was taken to the nearest hospital by ambulance and he and wife Lynn rushed down from Hamble to be with her on Thursday night.

Mr King, 54, said four other riders were treated in hospital but later released and the road had to be closed.

“Dani couldn't feel her feet at one stage. She was put on a spinal board,” he added.

“She said to us at one stage she was frightened to cry because she thought she was going to die she was in so much pain. It was very traumatic.”

Scans confirmed no such damage and it is thought this was just the effects of the cold.

Mr King said his daughter had undergone surgery and was now on intensive pain relief and likely to remain in hospital until at least early next week.

She let her fans know about the accident on twitter adding: “Being looked after by the amazing NHS ICU in Wales.”

Fellow Olympic cyclists Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott tweeted back wishing her a speedy recovery.

Three-time world champion Dani won the team pursuit at London 2012 and hopes to defend her title in 2016.

A post box was painted gold in Hamble in her honour and a local cycle way has been named after her.

She was given the Freedom of the Borough of Eastleigh last year.

Mr King said his daughter had had injuries before and in March this year needed stitches in her leg after a fall, but never as serious as this.

“She obviously could be better, but she's a fighter and has come back from knocks before,” he said.

“She's a tough kid so hopefully she's going to bounce back.

“I'm sure she'll be fine.”

It is currently the cycling off season and Dani was only in her second week of winter training.

Dani's agent Steve Fry said it was too early to say how long it would take her to recover or how this would affect Dani's plans for the racing season, which begins in February, but acknowledged it would obviously affect her training schedule.