Heartbreaking twist after gymnast breaks both legs in horror accident

The gymnast who broke both legs and dislocated her knees in a sickening mishap has made the heartbreaking decision to retire.

Auburn college star Samantha Cerio underwent surgery on Monday after the horror accident while performing at an NCAA regional event on Saturday.

Cerio’s legs buckled horribly during a floor exercise when she landed badly at the end of a tumbling run.

She immediately clutched both legs in pain, and the meet was delayed while medical workers put splints on both of her legs.

They carried her out of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center to a standing ovation, transporting her to hospital.

‘Hanging up my grips’

Cerio later took to social media to announce that her gymnastics career was over.

“Friday night was my final night as a gymnast. After 18 years I am hanging up my grips and leaving the chalk behind,” she posted on Instagram.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the person that gymnastics has made me to become. It’s taught me hard work, humility, integrity, and dedication, just to name a few. It’s given me challenges and road blocks that I would have never imagined that has tested who I am as a person.

“It may not have ended the way I had planned, but nothing ever goes as planned.”

Nola.com reporter Amie Just described it as the worst injury she’d ever seen.

Cerio’s teammates rallied around her after the injury, starting the hashtag “#StickItForSam” before the final on Sunday.

Auburn finished the event fourth, but their main concern was Cerio.

“We wanted more than anything to do this for her,” head coach Jeff Garba said.

“I think we were out of gas, emotionally spent.

“But I thought the girls fought hard. They did a great job.”