Oscar Pistorius has denied reports that he attempted to take his own life after being rushed to a private hospital in Pretoria to treat injuries suffered in jail.

The shamed South African Paralympian, serving a six-year sentence for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, was taken to Kalafong Hospital from his prison cell on Saturday.

It had been suggested by reports in Pistorius's homeland that the athlete had failed in a suicide attempt, having suffered injuries to his wrist, but these claims have been rejected by the 29-year-old.

A spokesman at the Department of Correctional Services said: "Oscar Pistorius denied speculations of a suicide attempt. As a policy principle we cannot further discuss a particular offender's personal condition in the public domain."

Pistorius served an initial one-year sentence for manslaughter, although the conviction was later overturned and he was then convicted of murder.