Twenty-one people including several spectators were injured in a massive pile up during a beachfront motorbike race yesterday. One 16-year-old motocross competitor was said to be critically ill in hospital last night. Weston Beach Race was cancelled because of the smash in the main pack as the 800 riders sped up the main straight less than a third of the way into the three-mile course over sand dunes. Mirror.co.uk
An 85cc youth race went ahead as planned this morning, but the main event of the weekend, the adult solo race, was scrapped after the huge crash less than a mile into the start.
A collision within the main pack as the competitors headed up the main straight, led to ‘‘a chain of events’’ that caused the multiple falls.
The race, featuring 800 competitors, was stopped immediately after the incident to allow the medical services safe access to the track, organiser RHL Activities said.
The most seriously injured rider - aged 16 - remained “critically ill” on Sunday evening, a spokeswoman for St John Ambulance said.
Other riders were taken to hospital after the incident and treated for minor wounds.
One rider sustained what RHL describe as ‘‘more serious injuries’’ and was taken Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, where he was being assessed. Telegraph.co.uk
RHL said that the cause of the crash was not known and that its scale was unprecedented in the 27-year history of the event.
The race attracts quad and motocross riders from club-level ability to world champions. The track is created on the beach using bulldozers to create dunes, jumps and tight turns leading onto a mile-long straight. Times Online
His condition is believed to have improved this afternoon but he is still in a critical condition and has gone for further scans.
This afternoon emergency service personnel, event organisers and council officers have been discussing at the Town Hall whether a smaller version of the event can be restaged next weekend. Weston & Somerset Mercury
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