Workington’s injured speedway star Tate Zischke has posted a message to the fans following his horror crash at Belle Vue on Monday.
The Australian is in a Manchester hospital after he crashed on his Belle Vue debut, on loan from the Comets, and as a result the meeting was abandoned while he was tended to on the track.
Zischke, 18, who had taken the Championship by storm since his arrival this season, said: “I just want to than everyone for all the messages and hospital visits which mean a lot.
“I haven’t been able to get back to everyone but thanks to you all. It’s going to be a long bumpy road to recovery. I will spend the coming weeks in hospital fighting to get better each day. It has been a rough few days so far but we will keep fighting.
“So far I can let you all know I have fractured seven vertebrae and five ribs and have a nasty entry and exit hole in my left bum cheek where I was penetrated by my bike when I followed it into the fence. I so far have had surgery on my cheek and have been told I will need a couple more in the coming days.
“I want to let everyone know this crash was 100% a racing incident and nobody is at fault. I will keep everyone update on what is happening next.”
Meanwhile two Workington Comets fans, James Wilson and Phillip Mullard have organised an online fundraiser for the rider
They say the money raised will be used to help Zischke for his travel back to Australia when able and for his family to be able to travel to the UK to visit while he is in hospital.
Any remaining funds will be used to help repair his equipment and bike which were damaged in the crash.
They had set a £2,000 target and this morning there had been over 100 donations and the total raised stood at £2,680.
