Lewis Kerr, an up-and-coming speedway rider, is in a coma following a “horrific” collision with a barrier at a race meeting in Peterborough on Sunday. The incident was witnessed by Kerr’s parents and his pregnant wife, Jessie.
Kerr was competing for the Newcastle Diamonds team when he was involved in a multiple-bike crash. According to the Peterborough Telegraph, Kerr was hit by the Australian rider Josh Grajczonek, and the impact propelled him through a fence surrounding the circuit. The 25-year-old, who lives in Heacham, Norfolk, was treated trackside for over an hour before being airlifted to the Addenbrooke’s hospital, Cambridge, with severe head injuries.
Following the crash, described by British Speedway as “a horrible looking incident”, the meeting was called off, with several riders in attendance reportedly left in tears.
In a statement, the British Speedway Promoters Association said: “The accident took place in heat 3 of the final and Kerr, who was representing Newcastle, was treated at the track for more than an hour prior to leaving the venue in the air ambulance. The meeting was abandoned by referee Stuart Wilson whilst treatment was taking place, with total agreement of all team managers and riders present.”
The BSPA’s chairman, Alex Harkness, said: “Lewis is in a stable condition and is in the very best place for care and attention. There was no alternative but to abandon the meeting. All of the riders were in no state to continue after seeing what had happened. Our thoughts are with Lewis and his family, and we wish him a full, successful and speedy recovery.
“Our information at this stage is that he is in an induced coma at Addenbrooke’s hospital where he will get the best possible care, and as and when any further updates are available we will issue further bulletins.”
Jessie Kerr, communicating through her husband’s Twitter account, said: “Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”
“Thank you to absolutely everybody, the speedway world has been incredible, Lewi will be so gobsmacked.”
Grajczonek added: “Praying for you mate, so so sorry”
