Photographer is hit and killed by a bike at British Motocross Championships, after it smashed through a hay bale barrier when a rider came off at a jump
- The incident took place during the weekend racing event at Foxhill in Wiltshire
- A man in his 50s was fatally struck after a rider dismounted his bike at a jump
- A marshal also suffered a serious injury and the event was quickly abandoned
A photographer has been hit and killed by a bike after an accidental crash at the British Motocross Championship.
Motocross snapper Simon Mitchell, who was in his 50s, was fatally struck after a rider dismounted his bike, with his machine crashing through a hay bale barrier.
A spokesperson for the event told the BBC that the incident took place at the end of the Premier Class Race, with a marshal also suffering a serious injury.
The event, held last weekend at Foxhill in Wiltshire, was abandoned after the crash.
Both men involved in the collision were not situated with the spectators, having instead been positioned behind a specific marshal point.
A photographer was killed by a bike after a crash at the British Motocross Championship
The rider was not hurt in the crash.
The racetrack has paid tribute to Simon and his work, saying he will be remembered as a ‘genuinely lovely guy’ in a statement issued on social media today.
‘The entire team at VMXdN Foxhill is deeply saddened by the passing of Simon Mitchell yesterday afternoon (May 14) following a freak accident trackside,’ they said.
‘Simon was a brilliant photographer, a huge motocross enthusiast, and an incredible supporter of VMXdN Foxhill from day one.
‘Simon was a genuinely lovely guy who always had time and wanted to help others.
‘We know he will be so sadly missed by the whole VMXdN Team and the motocross community.
‘Our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends at this very sad time.’
In a statement on its website, the series promoter said: ‘RHL Activities are saddened to announce that this weekend’s meeting at Foxhill in Wiltshire has been cancelled.
‘At this moment in time we ask that everyone bears with us and any further updates will be made if required.’
The photographer, named as Simon Mitchell (above), was struck after a rider came off his bike
The spokesperson for the event said it was ‘very rare’ for a non-rider to be killed in motocross, adding they could ‘not remember a fatality that wasn’t a rider.’
Wiltshire Police attended the scene and the victim’s next of kin have been informed.
A police statement read: ‘At around 2.50pm yesterday (14/05), we responded to an incident at Foxhill Motocross in Swindon involving a rider and two members of the public during a race.
‘The rider was dismounted following a jump and the unmanned bike has left the track, sadly killing a man in his 50s. His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.
‘A second man, aged in his 60s, has been taken to hospital with a serious injury.’
The event was the third round of the Revo ACU British Motocross Championship.
Typically, events host races for 250cc and 450cc bikes. 250cc models can reach speeds as high as 55-70mph while 450cc mikes may reach up to 87mph.
Foxhill, a 1.5 mile circuit, has played host to several previous competitions. Its terrain is made up of steep hills and winding sections and features a number of jumps.
Around 10,000 people attended the event before its abandonment.
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