Yahoo News Belle Vue speedway crash update as rider taken to hospital as race abandoned
A Belle Vue Aces' speedway rider who was injured in a horrific crash last night is 'comfortable' in hospital, the team has revealed in an update.
Tate Zischke, an 18-year-old Australian rider, was injured when he lost control and crashed into a fence at speed during the Aces clash with Ipswich Witches yesterday evening (July 1). Paramedics rushed to the scene at the National Speedway Stadium in Gorton as the race was abandoned at 58-26 in the 14th heat.
Pictures showed multiple ambulance vehicles on the track inside the stadium in the aftermath of the incident. One man, who lives near to the stadium, told the Manchester Evening News he was in his kitchen when he heard a huge bang.
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Tate was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. In a post on social media at around 11.30pm last night, his team said he was 'comfortable in hospital' and was 'still being assessed'.
"Both Tate and the club thank racegoers for their concerns and well wishes", the post added. "We are aware that some misinformation is circulating but we urge people not to jump to conclusions, and as soon as the club has an update we can share we will do so.
"We’d like to thank people again for their concern and we wish Tate the best for a speedy recovery." The Aces captain Brady Kurtz added that it was a 'massive shame' the races ended in a crash.
"It was a super good performance from the whole team and it's definitely something we needed at the moment. It's a massive shame that it ended the way it did", he said.
"All we can do is wish Tate all the best from the whole team and hopefully he will have a speedy recovery." In a post on X, at about 9pm last night, Belle Vue Speedway wrote: "Race stopped after a crash for Ziscke on bend 3 and 4."
They later added: "The Aces take a 58-26 win over Ipswich in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the National Speedway Stadium. Meeting abandoned after Heat 14 following Tate Zischke’s awful crash.
"Best wishes to our new young Aussie."
