Photographer killed at British Motocross Championship

A photographer has died following a crash during a British Championship motocross race last weekend at Foxhill.

Photographer Simon Mitchell and a marshal were involved in the crash, which happened during the first MX1 moto of the British Championship meeting at Foxhill, organised by the Langrish MX Club. 

The BBC reports that a rider crashed on a jump, and that his bike made its way through the bales which lined the track in the area where both Mr. Mitchell and the marshal were standing, which was away from spectators. The rider of the crashed motorcycle was unhurt in the incident. An investigation by both the police and Auto Cycle Union (ACU) is underway.

A statement from the British Motocross Championship reads as follows:

"Following the incident at the historic Foxhill Motocross Circuit on Sunday 14th May 2023, the Organisers, Langrish MX Club, are saddened to announce the death of Simon Mitchell, a gentleman well known within the motocross community.

"A second person who was also injured in the incident, an official at the event, was released from hospital on the evening of the 14.05.23 with bruising.

"The thoughts and condolences of everyone concerned are with Simon’s family and friends at this time."

The Foxhill round of the British Motocross Championship was one with particular anticipation ahead of the event, as five-times Motocross World Champion Jeffrey Herlings was set to compete at the race in the MX1 class. Herlings was leading the first MX1 moto when the race was stopped, and declared the winner when the event was cancelled following the understanding of the severity of the incident which is now confirmed to have led to the death of Mr. Mitchell.

The thoughts of everyone at Visordown are with Simon's family and the British motocross community at this difficult time.

Lead image credit: Revo ACU British Motocross Championship.