Police have described the death of a Riverina teenager during a motocross race on Father's Day as "catastrophic", saying it will have a long-lasting affect on the region's motorcycle sports community.
Fifteen-year-old Beau Hilton from Coolamon crashed into a tree during a race at the Wagga Wagga Motorcycle Sports Club's Yarragundry race track on Sunday afternoon.
Members of the local Volunteer Rescue Association and paramedics were unable to revive the teen.
Riverina Police District commander Superintendent Bob Noble said the accident was tragic.
"It's one of those things where he obviously control was lost of the motorcycle," he said.
In a Facebook post, the Wagga Motorcycle Sports Club described the death as a "horrific loss".
"Beau not only was a member but a bloody hard worker and his family are very involved in the club," the post read.
"We have lost a piece of our club way too soon and our heart breaks to know this is not a bad dream.
"Enjoy riding the cloudy skies to heaven."
'Inherently quite dangerous'
Motorcycle clubs from around the state have also shared their condolences.
Superintendent Noble said a brief of evidence would be prepared for the coroner.
"Motor racing is inherently quite dangerous," he said.
"I know those people that compete and the organising bodies do everything they can to mitigate any risk, but at some point someone will fall off a motorcycle or they will collide with something," he said.
"In most instances that doesn't cause catastrophic outcomes, but in this instance it did."
Superintendent Noble said there were a large number of spectators at the race track at the time of the crash.
"The motocross community is quite close and tight. They travel around a lot and compete, so we would encourage people affected — and there will be many — to seek support," he said.
"I'm sure losing your son, brother, friend on Father's Day is pretty hard for them to deal with."
