A North East motorcycle racer has died following a crash at the weekend.

Chrissy Rouse, from Newcastle, crashed heavily on the opening lap of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Donington Park on Sunday and was unavoidably struck by an immediately following rider. He sustained a significant head injury.

The race was stopped and he was treated immediately trackside before being transferred to the circuit medical centre.

He was stabilised and put in a medically induced coma at the medical centre before being transferred to Queens Medical Centre/University Hospital, Nottingham for further assessment and treatment, where he underwent an emergency neurosurgical procedure.

But the 26-year-old succumbed to his injuries and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family in hospital, yesterday afternoon.

Chrissy’s family thank the attending marshals and medical services who provided such skill and care attending to him and asked for privacy as they attempt to deal with their devastating loss.

The coroner, police and the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board are working together in order to investigate the full circumstances of the tragic accident.

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