Northern Irish motorcycle racer Glenn Irwin has been rushed to hospital amid fears of a spinal fracture following a violent crash at Donington Park.
The 36-year-old came off his bike at Starkey’s Bridge, the high-speed left-hander at turn five, during the penultimate lap of the third and final British Superbike race of the weekend.
The incident prompted officials to red-flag the race immediately, with the leaders approaching that same section of the circuit on the final lap.
Irwin was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre for specialist assessment and imaging after initially receiving treatment at the track’s medical centre.
Television footage captured the moment Irwin lost the rear of his Ducati as he tipped into the fast left-hander, with the bike kicking him repeatedly before a dramatic high-side sent him tumbling across the grass on the outside of the corner.
Despite the severity of the incident, images broadcast on TV showed the Northern Irish rider sitting upright while receiving attention from trackside medics and marshals.
He remained conscious and in a stable condition throughout the entire process of being assessed and treated.
Glenn Irwin has been hospitalised for a ‘possible spinal fracture’
|
INSTAGRAM/OFFICIALBSB
Championship organisers released a statement confirming regarding the incident and Irwin’s condition.
It read: “Glenn Irwin crashed at Starkey’s Bridge (turn five) on the penultimate lap of BSB Race Three, necessitating a red flag.
“He was assessed and treated at the circuit Medical Centre. He remained conscious and stable throughout his assessment.
Irwin [pictured in 2020] crashed at Starkey’s Bridge
|
PA
“Due to concern regarding a possible spinal fracture, Glenn is being transferred to Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, for further specialist assessment and imaging.
“We wish Glenn well and will provide further updates when appropriate.”
Earlier in the campaign, Irwin suffered pelvic and neck injuries at Snetterton, ruling him out of the remaining races that weekend.
Earlier in the campaign, Irwin suffered pelvic and neck injuries at Snetterton
|
PA
Scott Redding was declared the winner when the red flag brought proceedings to a premature end, marking his third triumph in the space of six races.
Championship leader Kyle Ryde had dominated the earlier action at Donington, taking victories in both the first and second races of the weekend.
Redding’s success in the final outing ensures the title fight will go down to the wire, with the BSB season set to conclude at Brands Hatch on the weekend of 17-18 October.