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Friday, 16th May 2008

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Fans hurt in horror speedway crash


Two in hospital after struck by bike

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Published Date:
12 May 2008
TWO young speedway fans are recovering in hospital this week after they were injured in a horror crash at Berwick's Shielfield Park on Saturday night.
The pair were amongst a number of supporters caught up in an incident when a bike flew into a spectator area at high speed.
One of the injured, an unidentified male, received treatment from medical staff at the scene. Another person, who has not been identified, was taken to Berwick Infirmary for a check-up and was later released. But two others, a 16 year-old boy and a 14 year-old girl, were taken by ambulance to Wansbeck Hospital in Ashington and the girl was later transferred to the RVI in Newcastle.
The girl received head and facial injuries and underwent surgery earlier this week. The boy, second half rider Graham Sykes, sustained suspected collarbone and arm injuries. He also had an operation earlier this week and both have been described as being in 'a comfortable condition.'
Berwick promoter Peter Waite said: "It was a racing accident, a complete freak. I have been involved in speedway for a long time now and I have never seen anything like that before.
"It was a most unfortunate incident, but of course all our thoughts at this time are with the injured and their families and we can only hope that they make a swift recovery.
"Thankfully, none of the injuries are life-threatening, because just a few inches either way and we could be talking about a far more serious situation.
"Not a lot of people stand in that area of the stadium and the pair were on the walkway when the accident happened.
"Ironically, Graham was preparing to ride in the second half of the meeting at Shielfield. He is hoping to make his way in the sport and his bike was in the pits, but then this happens."
The accident occurred at the start of heat seven during Berwick Bandits' Premier League home meeting against the Isle of Wight, which was subsequently abandoned and will now be re-staged on May 31.
Berwick's Scott Smith and the Islanders' Paul Fry locked up as they went into the first bend. They smashed through the wooden safety fence, but Fry, and Smith's bike, were both catapulted over the 3ft high outer wall into an area which is used as a spectator walk-way. Fry landed almost 30ft away against the outer perimiter wall of the stadium, and he sustained two broken toes and knee ligament damage.
But as the bike flipped over it clipped the two youngsters who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Medical staff rushed to their aid, and two NHS ambulances were also called to the scene. When the police arrived they quickly met with the meeting organisers and referee Peter Clarke and the decision was taken to abandon racing for the evening.
The Northumbria Police accident investigation unit was also called in and they taped off the area, took statements and photographs, but by then the damaged fence had already been repaired.
A spokesman for the Isle of Wight team said it was a most unfortunate incident, and like everyone else their thoughts were with the injured.
The Berwick rider involved in the accident, Smith reported whiplash and knee injuries as a result of the smash. He was due to see his own doctor this week, but it is not known yet if he will race in the club's next meeting at Somerset tomorrow (Friday).
"Scott is battered and bruised," said Waite, "but it is the psychological aspect which worries me. An incident like this is bound to have an effect on any rider."
Police said their investigation into the incident was complete and that information would be passed to the Health and Safety Executive.
Berwick sergeant Gary Hoddinott said: "We've spoken to the people involved, interviewed witnesses and taken photos of the scene.
"The two bikes involved have been photographed and examined.
"This was a sporting incident, the venue is properly licensed and has all the relevant public liability insurance."

The full article contains 690 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 13 May 2008 1:48 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Berwick
 
 

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