Former Workington rider Fraser Bowes is in hospital after a crash during Poole Pirates 55-34 win over Oxford Cheetahs on Wednesday.
The Australian, who rode for the Comets last season, has a punctured lung, blood on the lung and is experiencing back spasms.
The meeting was delayed for almost an hour for Bowes to get treatment, and he was taken to Poole hospital in the track ambulance.
In a message on his Facebook page Bowes said: “The track was tricky, and while leading on the last lap I hit a hole and ended up in the air fence.
“I was taken to Poole Hospital with chest and back pain. Scans have shown I have a punctured lung, blood on the lung, and spasms in my back causing quite a bit of discomfort.
“I’m extremely disappointed with how the past week has gone. But I’ll do everything possible to recover properly and be fit again for the next meeting but I will return to racing when I believe I will be fit to do so.”
Bowes had missed the two previous meetings due to an eye injury he sustained while working on his bikes in preparation for Pirates’ trip to Oxford for the first leg of the cup quarterfinal.
Another ex-Comet Richard Lawson (13+1), Zach Cook (12), Will Cairns (11) and Lewis Kerr (10) all scored double figures for the Pirates, with guest Nick Morris reaching 10 for the visitors.
Poole will now face Berwick in the semi-finals with Plymouth taking on Redcar in the other last-four clash.
