Weston Beach Race cancelled after crash
By TMX Archives on 12th Oct 09
The 27th running of the Weston Beach Race was cancelled today, following a major incident on the main straight involving more than a dozen riders.
A collision within the main pack, as the competitors headed away from the startand up the main straight, led to a chain of events that resulted in a number ofriders falling from their machines.
The onsite medical teams were quickto respond to the incident and treated a number of riders on track beforetransferring them to hospital. In response to the incident the race wasimmediately halted, to allow the medical services continued safe access to thetrack.
17 riders were transported to hospital after the incident, wherethey were treated for their injuries. One rider sustained more serious injuriesin the crash and was subsequently transferred to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol,where he is currently undergoing evaluation by medical staff.
With themajority of the medical teams committed to transporting the injured riders tohospital, race organisers took the decision to cancel the event in the interestsof both rider and public safety.
Gareth Hockey: Director - RHLActivities Limited
"It was immediately obvious that the crash was aserious one and that a number of the injured riders would require medicalattention on the track. As a result there was no hesitation in stopping the raceto allow the medical teams safe access to the injured riders. Unfortunately, oneof the riders involved in the crash sustained more serious injuries. At thistime we haven't received any additional information as to the extent of theseinjuries, but he is currently undergoing medical treatment in Bristol and we areobviously hopeful that he will make a full recovery."
An announcement will be made regarding the rescheduling of the event on Tuesday 13th October.
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Event medical teams transported 17 riders to hospitals inWeston-super-Mare and Bristol, where they received further treatmentfor their injuries.
One rider sustained more severe head and leg injuries in the incidentand was transferred to Frenchay hospital in Bristol, where he iscurrently under observation in the Frenchay Hospital ITU.
Contrary to recent reports, it has been confirmed that injuries wereconfined to competitors in the race, and no spectators were involved orinjured in the incident.
"Our thoughts are with the riders who were injured in yesterday's BeachRace incident and we wish them all a full and speedy recovery," saidGareth Hockey from event organisers, RHL Activities.