Toby Price hospitalised following American crash

Mark Kariya

Motorex KTM Off Road Racing’s Toby Price crashed at the fourth round of the 2013 AMA Hare and Hound National Championship over the weekend near Lucerne Valley, California, and remains in hospital with neck injuries. Long-time moto journalist, Mark Kariya, hit us up with a few details.

The defending Australian Off-Road Champion apparently went down in almost the exact same spot as another rider, and while the other rider stayed down with a possible broken back, Price attempted to pick his bike back up and get going again – although he couldn’t. After a medical response team arrived, Price told them his neck and back hurt. He then passed out, and was forced to wait for a helicopter to arrive which took him to a hospital in Palm Desert, near Palm Springs.

“Ended up in hospital and broke three bones in my neck and my left thumb,” stated Price via Facebook. “Very lucky I have full movement because I should be done from the neck down. They are blown away I’m still moving. I have surgery scheduled in the morning to pin and plate everything, and I’m in a halo neck brace already.”

Price’s Baja testing for this trip is an obvious no-go, but what about the remainder of his 2013 season? The annual Finke and Hattah Desert races are just around the corner (Price won both events in 2012), and as the current AORC Outright and E3 class leader, Price won’t want to be laying in a hospital bed for too much longer.

Brad Williscroft, Price’s Australian team manager, was unavailable to comment on the situation.

Stay tuned to www.transmoto.com.au, as we’ll keep you updated as we hear more.