HUNDREDS of spectators looked on in horror as one of Britain s top riders was killed during a British Grass Track Championship meeting in High Easter on Sunday. Former British 500 Sidecar Grass Track Champion Lester Goodwin, 35, from Tonbridge in Kent, w

HUNDREDS of spectators looked on in horror as one of Britain's top riders was killed during a British Grass Track Championship meeting in High Easter

on Sunday.

Former British 500 Sidecar Grass Track Champion Lester Goodwin, 35, from Tonbridge in Kent, was competing in the second semi-final in the 500cc sidecar race when his bike turned over on one of the bends.

He fell into the path of a competitor who hit him.

Julian Sayer, secretary of Dunmow and District Motorcycle Club witnessed the accident. He said: "His bike went over at one of the bends and he came off into the path of a competitor who hit him.

"Several other outfits were caught up in the crash and turned over as well."

Emergency services were called and arrived at the scene just off High Easter Road and the Essex air ambulance landed shortly before 5.30pm.

Laurie Phillipson, a paramedic on board the helicopter, said: "As the man came off his bike, he was in collision with another bike. He suffered significant chest injuries including two collapsed lungs."

They continued to work on him as he was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to save Mr Goodwin who died before reaching the hospital.

He leaves a wife, Julie and two sons, Joshua and Courtney.

After the crash other competitors held a meeting and decided to stop racing for the day.

Tracy Cossar, track secretary for the Auto Cycle Union, the governing body of British motorcycle sport had known Mr Goodwin for seven years. She said: "Lester was a lovely man and very well liked throughout the sport. He was one of our most experienced riders and was six times British Championship.

"This is very sad. He was always happy to hand down his knowledge to those who were new on the circuit. He gave my son a lot of help."

Joan Moorcock, committee member of the 500 Sidecar Association in High Easter, said: "It's very sad this has happened. Lester had been riding for years and was a really nice guy.

"I'm sure it's the first fatality we've had at our circuit."

Also injured in the accident was Mr Goodwin's passenger Andy Stevens as well as the driver and passenger of a second outfit.

A spokesman for Essex Ambulance service said three other patients treated at the scene suffered minor injuries including neck pain, cuts and bruises, and breathing problems, and were all taken to Broomfield and Princess Alexandra hospitals.

Essex Police, as part of the normal procedure, are carrying an investigation into the accident and would like any witnesses to call the Bocking Road Policing Unit on 01376 330722.