• The 21-year-old was injured after falling down stairs • Thornton has won five world medals at junior levels

The British rower Anna Thornton is in a “stable but serious” condition in hospital in the United States following an accident in early November.

The 21-year-old, a two-times world champion at under-23 level, is studying at the University of Washington and is understood to have suffered the injury falling down the stairs. Reports have suggested that Thornton is in a coma.

A statement from British Rowing said: “We are aware that Anna was involved in an accident in Seattle, USA, in early November. Anna is currently studying at the University of Washington and is in a stable but serious condition.

“At this time our focus is on supporting her and her family in any way possible. Anna’s family has requested for their privacy to be respected at this time and further information will be provided when it is available.”

Thornton, from Nottingham, has won five world medals for Great Britain at junior and under-23 level having first competed at the World Rowing Junior Championships in 2014.

After winning gold in the quadruple sculls at the World Under-23 Championships in 2017, Thornton teamed up with Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne to take gold in the double sculls in Poznan in July before the pair finished fourth in the senior championships.