By John Walsh

Last updated 12:10, Monday, 12 May 2008

WORKINGTON Comets’ new signing Barry Burchatt is in a critical condition after a grasstrack smash yesterday.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

The 20-year-old was competing in a meeting at Ashford when he was involved in a big pile up.

The Kent-based rider suffered serious internal injuries and is in intensive care in an Ashford Hospital on a ventilator.

Workington Comets team manager Ian Thomas said: “We are just getting more details of the incident, but from what I can gather Barry put his bike down because of a fall ahead of him and other riders piled into him.

“I understand that he has lost a lot of blood and suffered serious injuries. Our thoughts are with him and his family.”

Mr Burchatt had only decided to return to the track after planning a year out because of exams at work.

He passed them early and decided to return when invited to replace Scott Smith in the Comets line up.