Speedway star Tobias Thomsen has been left with horrific injuries following a dreadful crash on Friday evening, casting a shadow over the sport. The 31-year-old Danish rider, now pictured in his hospital bed, sustained a broken femur, broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a small brain haemorrhage in the incident.
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
Thomsen was rushed to Poole Hospital after a collision with Richard Lawson during a heat-one race between his former team, Poole Pirates, and his current side, Plymouth Gladiators. The crash occurred when Thomsen was hit from behind, a scenario he describes as hard to avoid in the high-speed world of speedway racing.
Thomsen's Hospital Update and Injuries
On Facebook, Thomsen provided fans with a detailed update on his condition. He revealed that he has broken his femur, requiring a titanium bar to be inserted from his knee to his hip for stabilization. Additionally, he has three minor fractures around his eye, three broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a small brain haemorrhage, which doctors have assured him is not serious.
Thomsen expressed his determination to recover, stating: "Going to do my best to get back in shape and see where this takes me in the future. I want to race again because it's what makes me happy and feel alive."
No Ill Will Towards Opponent
Despite the severity of his injuries, Thomsen holds no grudge against Lawson, emphasizing that the crash was a race accident. He wrote: "I really thought I had everything under control at this time. But getting hit from behind is hard to avoid. This is a race accident and I have no grudge against Lawson - I know this could happen."
Team and Community Support
Plymouth Gladiators shared an update, highlighting that the focus is now on Thomsen's recovery. The team noted that while the full timeline remains unclear, Thomsen is determined to work hard to regain full fitness and assess his options moving forward. Racing is described as a huge part of his life, and his aim is to return when ready.
The team also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans, revealing that an incredible £1,387.95 was collected in donation buckets following the crash. Messages of support have poured in, which Thomsen will see during his recovery.
Lawson's Reaction
Richard Lawson, Thomsen's former teammate and the other rider involved in the crash, expressed his devastation on social media. He said: "Jesus Christ mate! I am absolutely gutted for you, wish I wasn’t the other rider in this with you. So s***, and we were just chatting 5 minutes beforehand! Hopefully see you in Denmark. I really hope you heal quicker than anticipated. F*** mate."
As Thomsen focuses on his rehabilitation, the speedway community rallies behind him, hoping for a swift and full recovery so he can return to the track he loves.
