PYEONGCHANG, South Korea -- American luger Emily Sweeney avoided serious injury in a frightening crash that knocked her out of the Pyeongchang Olympics on Tuesday during the final heat of the competition.

The diagnosis was that Sweeney had only some bumps and bruises.

"I'm OK," she said.

American luger Emily Sweeney lost control during her final run and wound up sliding feet-first up one curve toward the track roof before getting thrown from her sled. Sandy Hooper/USA TODAY Sports

Sweeney was still experiencing back pain Wednesday and was being monitored by USA Luge's medical staff. USA Luge said she is doing well, and her parents are visiting with her in the Athletes' Village.

Sweeney lost control around Curve 9, the track's most treacherous spot, and then began careening all over the track. She wound up sliding feet-first up one curve toward the track roof before getting thrown from her sled and eventually tumbling to a stop.

Many in the crowd looked at the monitors, horrified. The stands were filled with fans cheering raucously, and they immediately went silent waiting for some sort of sign that Sweeney would be all right.

It took several minutes for Sweeney to get to her feet, then several more before she could finally start a slow walk to the finish area -- surrounded by team and on-site medical personnel.

"I've never been so relieved than when I saw her getting up and walking," said American teammate Summer Britcher, choking back tears.

These were the first Olympics for Sweeney. She doesn't have any other events scheduled at these Games.

Curve 9 has been a problem for sliders throughout the early portion of the Olympics, causing many to skid, lose control and lose some time. Crashes, however, have not come as often as they did in the 2006 and 2010 Games, both of which left athletes openly complaining about track safety.

Later in the final run, Britcher lost control at the start and struck some walls -- but got down the track without crashing or serious injury.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.