A TEENAGE motorcycling star’s leg was shattered when he was involved in a dramatic crash at an event in Moray yesterday.
Four-time Highland motocross champion Ian Findlay was flown to hospital after suffering a triple leg break in the accident on the outskirts of Elgin.
An air ambulance landed near Grampian Moto-cross club’s Woodside track in Calcots Road in the Lesmurdie area of the town.
Paramedics gave Mr Findlay, who is understood to be 17, morphine at the scene before he was transferred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
Grampian club secretary Pamela Fraser said: “Ian fell very badly and damaged his leg in three places.
“He was in a lot of pain, even after he was given morphine.
“The paramedics took the decision that he should be taken by air to the Inverness hospital because he would only be transferred there anyway if he had been driven to Elgin.”
The crash happened during the first day of the season for the Grampian club.
More than 70 riders from as far afield as Orkney were at yesterday’s meet, which featured eight different races.
Mr Findlay, a former Charleston Academy pupil who lives in Inverness, is one of the country’s best young motorbike riders.
As well as being a multiple Highland champion, he has also been Grampian champion three times and has won the Orkney Beach Race.
He was Scottish champion in his class in 2010.
Ms Fraser said: “We all wish Ian a speedy recovery.
“It might take him a little while to recover because it was a bad injury but I’m sure he will be back on the bike.”
An ambulance spokesman said: “We received a call just after 1pm and attended a patient who had serious leg injuries.
“A road ambulance was at the scene, along with an air ambulance.”
At the end of 2012, Mr Findlay signed for the SM Ellis KTM team.
Team manager Sean Ellis said at the time: “Ian is a talented young rider with serious skill and a true passion for the sport, and also a strong family support around him, which is definitely half the battle.”