A spate of accidents – two believed to involve spinal injuries – marred a national motorbike event in Moray yesterday.
It is thought almost 20 riders and race marshals were injured during the two-day event and eight ended up in hospital in Elgin.
Among the many injured were two race marshals who were knocked down when they went to the aid of a stricken rider.
There were almost 20 people injured at the event – many of them riders
One concerned onlooker said: “The rider fell awkwardly after he went over a high jump.
“He was obviously in pain and the two marshals ran over to try to help him. Whether they have gone out or not, I don’t know, but I suppose it was just human nature.
“However, another bike then came along seconds later and collided with them both.
“The second rider was in the air so there was no real way that he could avoid them.”
One of the race marshals is understood to have been left with a punctured lung, while the other suffered a broken leg in the collision.
It is also understood that the first rider has a broken back.
He is believed to be Grant Fraser, the son of Pamela and Brian Fraser, the secretary and chairman of the Grampian Moto-cross Club from Elgin.
The second rider also went to hospital for treatment.
A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “We attended the event a number of times of times between 10am and noon.”
The main accident occurred at about 9.45am during a practice session.
The motorbikes would have been travelling at between 50-70mph.
The practice session took place prior to a series of races that were held yesterday at the Grampian Moto-cross club’s Woodside track.
The meeting, which was held over Saturday and Sunday, included round three of the Scottish Motocross Federation’s championships.
A national event, it attracted a total of 165 competitors from all over the UK to the Elgin track, which is sited in woodland off Calcots Road in the Lesmurdie area of the town
The course is no stranger to serious accidents.
In March, a teenage motorcycling star’s leg was shattered when he was involved in a dramatic crash.
Four-time Highland motocross champion Ian Findlay was flown to hospital after suffering a triple leg break.