Speedway

Last updated 15:55, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

BARRY Burchatt, Workington Comets’ new signing, is in a critical condition in a Kent hospital after a grass-tracking smash.

The 20-year-old is in intensive care and on a ventilator after suffering sereious internal injuries.

Burchatt had laid his bike down to avoid a fallen rider but the rest of the field ploughed into him.

Workington Comets team manager Ian Thomas said: “We are getting news as the day goes on but our thoughts are with him. He is a smashing lad who is already hugely popular among the rest of the team.”

Burchatt had intended to take a year out of speedway because of exams associated with his work but he passed them early and answered a call from the Comets to take on the number two slot following the release of Scott Smith.

Ironically Smith was involved in a horror smash of a different kind when he made his seasonal debut for Berwick Bandits at Shielfield on Saturday.

He tangled with veteran Paul Fry and his bike catapulted into the crowd, striking two young spectators. A 14-year-old girl suffered serious head injuries and has undergone plastic surgery while a 14-year-old youth had collarbone and shoulder injuries.

The meeting was abandoned, although both Smith and Fry were not badly hurt.

Burchatt’s injury put the other main news event of the week into perspective.

Comets’ management was left fuming with top rider Daniel Nermark over his decision to ride in Poland.

Owner Keith Denham and team manager Ian Thomas say they feel deceived over the Swede’s absence from Derwent Park on Saturday and subsequent appearance in Poland less than 24 hours later.