RIDER NEWS: Smith and Herbert thank helpers and well wishers

Wednesfield’s Matt Smith, who had an alarming high speed crash during the Open final at the 2016 British Indoor Championships in Coventry yesterday, has issued a thank you to those who helped him and his well wishers.

Smith tangled with Stockport’s Ben Higham after a bunched up start heading into bend one. Both riders flew over the bars and Smith landed heavily on his head.

The former Sandwell man was reportedly knocked out and received treatment on the track for 20 minutes, stating he couldn’t remember going to the tapes, let alone the accident.

Subsequently his Indoor challenge was over and he had to withdraw from the meeting.

He emailed 33/18 to say: “Please pass on my thanks to everybody who helped me today. I feel ok and I’ll be back next year!”

Likewise, Ipswich’s Charlie-Jane Herbert had a heavy fall in the run off for the title, showing obvious pain straight away. Tended to by the Coventry first aiders and after a late trip to hospital in Ipswich, it was revealed she has knee ligament damage.

Herbert said: “Thank you to everybody who helped me and showed concern yesterday, it really meant a lot to me. I just have to take it easy, and hopefully I’ll be back on the bike soon.”