Terrifying moment bobsled team suffers ‘absolute disaster’ as driver forced to ride solo at 75mph

Bobsledder Kris Horn was involved in a terrifying solo ride down the track after his three teammates failed to make it into the sled.

The ordeal occurred at the start of a World Cup race in St. Moritz, Switzerland on Sunday where the quartet were representing the USA.

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Horn, who was driving the four-man sled, got in first as is common practice in bobsled.

However, teammates Ryan Rager, Hunter Powell and Caleb Furnell all experienced problems getting inside the sled.

That left Horn all alone with the responsibility of steering the course with no other weight in the sled and no teammate on hand to pull the brakes at the bottom.

Rager was the first person to take a tumble trying to get inside the sled and it was his slip that appeared to knock the remaining teammates off stride.

Footage appeared to show Powell taking a nasty fall, hitting the track wall before his back crashed onto the icy surface.

Furnell also struggled to claim his spot in the sled and could do nothing but watch Horn navigate the course alone.

Fortunately, none of the U.S bobsledders suffered serious injuries in the incident with all X-rays coming back negative.

Asked how he felt after the fall, Powell told The Associated Press: “A little sore, I should be fine in a couple days.”

Meanwhile, USA Bobsled head coach said in a text message: “We are fortunate it wasn’t worse.”

Expertly handled

Horn reached a speed of 75mph whilst careering down the track alone in a run that took just over a minute.

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He was able to drive the sled across the finish line before expertly manoeuvring to the back of the sled to pull the break handles.

It was at the finish where he was greeted by athletes and coaches from different nations who made their way towards him to support a safe finish.

Some were seen shaking the American’s hand while others were visibly stunned by the incident.

Horn was able to call upon his experience as a brakeman – a role he started out as before his later move to the front of the sled.

It all added to a difficult weekend for Horn, who crashed out of the two-man World Cup race on Saturday after his brakeman Carsten Vissering, was unable to compete Sunday in the four-man after suffering abrasions.

Horn has one final World Cup racing weekend to secure a spot on USA Bobsled and Skeleton team for next month’s Milan Cortina Olympics.

Horn is expected to be included as one of the men’s bobsled drivers, along with Frank Del Duca.