Lindsey Vonn crashes in Olympic downhill, taken away by helicopter as US teammate Johnson wins gold

Lindsey Vonn had been one of the favourites for downhill gold at the Winter Olympics prior to suffering a knee injury. Pic: Tiziana FABI / AFP via Getty Images)

Lindsey Vonn, racing on a badly injured left knee, crashed early in the Olympic downhill on Sunday and was taken off the course by a helicopter after the 41-year-old American received medical attention on the snow for long, anguished minutes.

Vonn lost control over the opening traverse after cutting the line too tight and was spun around in the air. She was heard screaming out after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel before she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by a helicopter, possibly ending the skier’s storied career. Her condition was not immediately known, with the U.S. Ski Team saying simply she would be evaluated.