Speedway and Motorsport

Garry Stead (right) before the accident

Somerset Rebels 14-4 Stoke Potters*

* meeting was abandoned after three heats - result does not stand

The meeting ended with both ex-Rebels and their team captain, Garry Stead, in hospital after two of the worst crashes ever seen at the Highbridge circuit.

In the opening heat, Cunningham fell on bend four whilst at the back and appeared to be trapped under the bike.

He had just regained his feet but had not cleared the track, when the field approached the final turns.

The Rebels' pairing avoided the stranded Cunningham, but his race partner, Ben Barker, could not and ploughed into him at full speed.

Both riders were down receiving treatment for some considerable time and were eventually taken from the track, direct to Weston General Hospital in the ambulances.

Initial indications were that Cunningham was suffering from arm injuries and that Barker had foot injuries. Both were awaiting X-rays to ascertain if they had any broken bones.

After a delay lasting almost an hour, the meeting got back underway with the Potters down to five riders.

Stead was leading heat three when he appeared to pick up some grip as he exited the second bend for the last time.

As he wrestled his machine to regain control, he clipped the fence on the back straight and fell.

Emil Kramer was on his inside and just managed to avoid him, but the remaining pair were racing close behind

Whilst Lee Complin also avoided his stricken colleague, Rebels' number four, Jordan Frampton, was left with nowhere to go.

He struck Stead full in his back. With no chance to slow down, he went straight over the top of him, somersaulting through the air for 20 yards down the track.

Frampton was treaded for a minor ankle injury. After a while, he was able to walk back to the pits.

Stead, however, was much more seriously injured and was treated on the track for a considerable time, before being taken by ambulance to join his colleagues at Weston General Hospital.

The extent of Stead's injuries was not known at the time of writing, but they are surely very serious.

The match was quiet rightly abandoned at this stage with any scores being irrelevant.

The only thing that matters is that all the riders make a full and speedy recovery. The thoughts of the Rebels and their supporters are with them and their families at this worrying time.