Former World Grand Prix Speedway rider Leigh Adams of Mildura is seriously ill in an Adelaide Hospital after crashing in practice for the Finke Desert Rally in Alice Springs.
Adams was flown by air ambulance on Tuesday night after suffering horrific injuries after he rode into a dry creek bed during a practice ride.
The freak accident is believed to have occurred around 1pm but it took five hours for an Ambulance to bring him back to Hospital where he was assessed by a medical team.
It took several more hours to stabilise him to a level where he could be transported by air ambulance to Adelaide.
Sources close to the family indicated that Adams had suffered two punctured lungs, several broken ribs, a broken back and suspected spinal damage.
He underwent further surgery on Wednesday and doctors have indicated it could be a long path to recovery.
Leigh's mother and father were in transit to Alice Springs and not contactable by phone on Tuesday afternoon after the accident.
His wife Kylie was taken to Adelaide by her father on Tuesday night and was at the hospital when doctors operated Wednesday.
News of his accident spread world wide on Wednesday with calls coming in from speedway riders and fans from several overseas countries.
Andrew Adams, Leigh’s brother was in Alice Springs at the time of the accident and was part of a group who had gone there for the rally.
The group also included riders Jason Hawkes and Jason Stewart.
The accident has happened less than a year after Adams had retired from world speedway riding. He had gone through is speedway career virtually unscathed with the most severe injuries being a shoulder and hand injuries.
The following statement was issued Wednesday night from Leigh’s former speedway club Swindon Robins in England "Swindon Speedway have been made aware of serious injuries sustained by Robins legend Leigh Adams back home in Australia.”
"Our thoughts are with Leigh and his family at this time"
"We will, of course, issue further updates as and when we feel appropriate.''
The Tatts Finke rally will be held from June 9-13 and thisn year has attracted an entry of 516 bikes and 98 buggies/cars.