European Games organizers say they will investigate allegations that staff have been drunk on duty following an incident in which a bus collided with three Austrian athletes.

One of the athletes, 15-year-old swimmer Vanessa Sahinovic, sustained severe spinal injuries after being hit Thursday by the bus, which veered onto the sidewalk in the athletes' village.

Reports in Azerbaijani media suggested alcohol may have been a factor in the crash and that some staff at the village had been drinking on site.

The organizing committee's chief operating officer Simon Clegg said claims of drunkenness were "a very serious suggestion" and would be "investigated immediately".

He added "there is absolutely nothing to suggest at this moment in time that alcohol played any part in the tragic incident."