Horrifying moment ambulance crew DROP Olympic gymnast after he snapped his leg as he attempted double backflip during qualifying round in Rio 

A French gymnast who dramatically broke his leg at the Rio Olympics had his pain further compounded when hapless medical staff dropped his stretcher as he was hurried out of the stadium.

Samir Ait Said's leg snapped as he tried to complete his vault during team preliminaries on Saturday, with the sound of the injury echoing through the arena.

As he crumpled to the floor Said writhed in agony while medical officials tended to him in front of a shocked crowd. After a delay of several minutes, he was eventually wheeled out and raised one arm to acknowledge the loud ovation he received from the crowd. 

But just minutes later the athlete was in even more excruciating pain after medical staff attempting to bundle him into a waiting ambulance dropped the lower end of the stretcher.

A clip of the incident shows the athlete's family gasping in horror as the stretcher jolts suddenly towards the floor. 

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The French gymnast who dramatically broke his leg at the Rio Olympics had his pain further compounded when hapless medical staff dropped his stretcher as he was hurried out of the stadium

A clip of the incident shows the athlete's family gasping in horror as the stretcher jolts suddenly towards the floor

Samir Ait Said's leg snapped as he tried to complete his vault during team preliminaries on Saturday, with the sound of the injury echoing through the arena 

A steward struggles to hide his grimace as Said crashes to the mat, having broken his leg while attempting to land his vault

The athlete's leg bent awkwardly as he tried to land, the sound of the injury echoing through the arena

He was eventually taken to hospital and is expected to undergo surgery. He will face months of rehabilitation following the horror injury. 

Several viewers watching on television took to social media to express their shock after the initial incident was broadcast live, with many detailing the loudness of the 'crack'.

The injury means Said will leave the Olympics prematurely, having also been expected to compete in the men's parallel bars, the individual all-round, the team all-round, floor exercise, rings and the pommel horse.

The 26-year-old, who competed at 2015's World Championships in Glasgow, won gold on the rings at 2013's European Championships and then silver in the same discipline in 2015.

The injury came minutes after Germany's Andreas Toba hurt his knee during floor exercise.

Toba abandoned his routine and was helped off by trainers but managed to compete on pommel horse before exiting to receive medical attention.

Said writhed on the ground in agony while medical officials tended to his horrific injury (left), while the athlete gave the crowd a wave following a standing ovation (right)

Several viewers watching on television took to social media to express their shock after the incident was broadcast live, with many detailing the loudness of the 'crack'

Danny Pinheiro Rodrigues of France reacts following the horrific injury suffered by his national teammate Samir Ait Said

Medical staff attend to Said following the unfortunate injury, which has ended his hopes of winning a medal at the Rio Olympics

Said seems relatively calm as the Olympic athlete is treated by medical staff on call at this year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro

After a delay of several minutes, he was eventually wheeled out and raised one arm to acknowledge the loud ovation he received from the crowd

Samir Ait Said is stretchered off after suffering the horrendous injury, receiving a rousing ovation from those watching