Scotland’s Callum Hawkins was taken away in an ambulance after collapsing during the men’s Commonwealth Games marathon on Sunday.

The 25-year-old fell while leading the marathon with a mile-and-a-half left and needed medical attention.

He was struggling on the ground for several minutes before eventually receiving treatment in distressing scenes as he battled the 27 degree heat on the Gold Coast.

Team Scotland quickly issued a statement on Hawkins, which read: “Callum has been taken to hospital for medical review following his collapse in the marathon as is standard procedure.

“He is being supported by Team Scotland medical staff & there are no major concerns at this stage. More information to be issued in due course.”

Mark Peters, GOLDOC chief executive, also promised to investigate the lack of immediate on-course medical care for Hawkins.

“Obviously we need to check the facts. We can’t have medical people on every corner of the road,” he said.

“They are in professional positions, the same as our Gold Coast marathon when we have 30,000 people. We are looking for more information. Obviously the health of the athlete is absolutely prime.

“Sometimes the athlete has to make a decision as to whether they want to go on or not. I understand that was part of the discussion at a point in time.

“Incredibly athletes, in whatever state they are in, want to finish. We’ve seen that in other marathons.

“It’s best for us to get the information at the moment. That’s what we’re attempting to do. Certainly there’s no reason for a deliberate delay.”

Going into the final quarter of the race Hawkins, who finished fourth in the World Championships last year, was looking set to claim his first major medal.

He had a lead of 41 seconds before his fall, which denied him the chance of victory on the Gold Coast.

Hawkins had moved away from the pack and opened up a gap from Uganda’s Munyo Solomon Mutai, who was initially behind him in second.

He passed the halfway point in one hour 07:44 minutes and was living up to his pre-race favourite tag before the drama.

Australia’s Michael Shelley overtook Hawkins while he was on the ground to claim back-to-back Commonwealth titles.

Hawkins’ Scotland team-mate Robbie Simpson took bronze behind Mutai.

Namibia’s Helalia Johannes won the women’s marathon ahead of Australian duo Lisa Weightman and Jessica Trengove.

Earlier, England’s John Smith and Simon Lawson won silver and bronze respectively in the men’s T54 marathon.

Team-mate Jade Jones also came third in the women’s T54 event on the final day of the Commonwealth Games.