Sickening scene as runner attacked by rival in the middle of race

Viral video has left the sporting world in disbelief with a runner being attacked with a baton in the middle of a race.

A teenage school student is being treated for a possible skull fracture after being struck with a baton by a rival runner during a relay race.

Kaelen Tucker, a junior at a school in the American state of Virginia, ran the second leg for her team in the 4x200m relay final.

But the Brookville High School student’s race ended in devastation.

As Tucker passed her rival from I.C Norcom High School on the outside, she was smacked on the back of her head with the baton, The Sun reports.

You can watch the incident in the video player above.

The pair jostled for position around the bend. Photo: YouTube and ABC13.

Kaelen Tucker was struck in the head. Photo: YouTube.

She stumbled off the track and fell to the ground clutching her head.

Judges spotted the foul immediately, and disqualified the Norcom team for what is known as “contact interference”.

An ABC report added Tucker is being treated by doctors for a concussion and potential skull fracture.

Speaking to ABC 13, Tucker expressed her bewilderment at what had happened.

The runner was struck around the final bend. Photo: YouTube and ABC13.

The track star said: “I still can’t believe it, I’m in shock. I’m still trying to take it all in, I can’t believe it happened.”

Upon seeing the incident, Tucker’s mum Tamarrow raced onto the track to check on her daughter, as did the on-site medical staff.

The family said that no one from Norcom’s team or any of their staff members came over to apologise or check on Tucker’s welfare.

The high shool student fell forward. Photo: YouTube and ABC13.

Tamarrow added: “No apologies.

“No coaches. No athlete. No anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don’t believe it was... nothing.”

But Norcom’s athletic director did later apologise on their behalf, according to ABC.

The incident took place after Tucker had set a new meet record in the 55-metre dash on Monday.

No conclusion has been reached about whether the incident was an accident or intentional.

Tucker says she hopes to be back and ready for outdoor track season.

— This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission