HOSPITAL VIGIL FOR TOP RIDER
A MOTORBIKE rider who was critically injured when he slammed into a wall at high speed in Stanthorpe on the weekend has been identified as Gold Coast riding instructor Max Thompson.
The 61-year-old from Runaway Bay – who has trained thousands of budding motorcyclists – was racing at Carnell Raceway in Stanthorpe on Saturday afternoon when organisers say his Yamaha TZ350 left the track at speed, sending him hurtling into a wall.
Queensland Early Motorcycle Sports Club (QEMSC) secretary Rex Dell said Mr Thompson was unconscious when medical staff first rushed to his aid but had regained consciousness by the time paramedics took him to hospital.
“We had a historic race meeting there (at Stanthorpe on the weekend),” Mr Dell said.
“Unfortunately he came to grief on one of the corners ... and (ran) into a wall.
“We don’t quite know what happened. We think that the bike had a problem ... I saw it happen.
“We suspect the throttle stuck open.”
Mr Dell said there were safety barriers on the track on Saturday but said Mr Thompson missed these, eventually running into a wall.
A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the 61year-old was in a critical condition in intensive care at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
He was first taken by ambulance to Stanthorpe Hospital where doctors decided Mr Thompson required specialist care.
He was then flown to Princess Alexandra on board a Towoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight helicopter.
Mr Thompson is believed to have suffered a number of trauma injuries in the crash including broken bones.
Race organiser Rex Dell said Mr Thompson was an accomplished rider. He said the incident was testament to the fact that some accidents were unavoidable, regardless of the experience of the rider.
“Max is a good rider ... he’s been doing it for years,” he said.
“These sorts of things happen ... (but) this is probably the worst one we’ve had in years.”
Mr Dell said Mr Thompson had been a regular at the Stanthorpe race meeting since joining the QEMSC a number of years ago.
Mr Dell said the race was well established in Queensland.
MAX IS A GOOD RIDER ... HE’S BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS. THESE SORTS OF THINGS HAPPEN ... (BUT) THIS IS PROBABLY THE WORST ONE WE’VE HAD IN YEARS REX DELL