Tobias Thomsen, a 31-year-old Danish speedway rider, sustained severe injuries in a high-impact crash during a heat-one race between Poole Pirates and Plymouth Gladiators. The incident occurred when Thomsen, riding for Plymouth Gladiators, was struck from behind by Richard Lawson of Poole Pirates.
The Crash Details
Thomsen received immediate medical attention and was rushed to Poole Hospital. Medical scans confirmed multiple fractures and internal injuries, including a broken femur, three broken ribs, a punctured lung, three minor facial fractures around the eye, and a small brain hemorrhage.
Thomsen’s Hospital Update
From his hospital bed, Thomsen shared a personal update with fans, expressing determination to recover. “I have broken my femur and have had a titanium bar inserted from the knee up to the hip to stabilize it,” he wrote. “In the face, around the eye, I have three minor fractures in the bones, which fortunately do not require surgery. In addition, I have broken three ribs and a punctured lung.”
He added, “And in the end, I have a small haemorrhage in the brain—nothing serious, the doctor said. What’s going to happen from here, I’m not sure yet. Going to do my best to get back in shape and see where this takes me in the future. I want to race again because it’s what makes me happy and feel alive.”
Thomsen emphasized the accidental nature of the crash: “I really thought I had everything under control at this time. But getting hit from behind is hard to avoid. This is a race accident and I have no grudge against Lawson—I know this could happen. All the focus now is on getting back in shape. Thank you for all the love and support.”
Team and Community Response
Plymouth Gladiators issued a statement prioritizing recovery: “At this stage, the focus is on his recovery. While the full timeline remains unclear, Tobias is determined to work hard to regain full fitness and assess his options moving forward. Racing is something he loves and is a huge part of his life, and his aim is to return when he is ready.”
The team also thanked supporters for raising £1,387.95 through on-site collections, noting the overwhelming messages of support.
Lawson’s Reaction
Richard Lawson, Thomsen’s opponent and former teammate, expressed deep regret: “Jesus Christ mate! I am absolutely gutted for you, wish I wasn’t the other rider in this with you. So s***, and we were just chatting 5 minutes beforehand! Hopefully see you in Denmark. I really hope you heal quicker than anticipated. F*** mate.”
