Speedway rider in hospital after 'horrible crash'

A speedway rider has thanked the emergency services and fans for their support after escaping serious injury during a race.

Ipswich Witches rider Emil Sayfutdinov was taken to hospital on Thursday evening after being run over by a bike in a final-heat decider.

The incident happened during the Witches' ROWE Motor Oil Premiership meeting at Sheffield Tigers.

On Instagram, external, the 34-year-old said: "I would like to say thank you to all paramedics at the stadium and at the hospital."

Sayfutdinov said a scan confirmed "no broken bones" and that he would remain in hospital until Saturday after sustaining a cut to his right buttock.

The Witches said Sayfutdinov had a "horrible crash", external in the deciding heat on the final bend before he was hurled into the fence and then back on to the track where he was run over by another rider. He was then taken away in an ambulance.

Ritchie Hawkins, the Ipswich Witches manager, said: "He's not as bad as he could have been, it was a massive crash, in lots of way very positive... no broken bones to report at the moment.

"He's a tough lad as well but it was a real bad one, it seems he's got maybe not as bad as first feared."

Hawkins said he did not know how long the Russian rider would be out for, but his absence would be a "massive loss" to the team.

Updating his fans, Sayfutdinov thanked them for their support.

"All rider who was helping me at the track. All club members and managements. Really appreciate all this.

"And now thank you to all fans. You are all legends. I have got so many messages with good wishes."

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