FORMER Ipswich Evening Star Witches favourite Kim Jansson has been left paralysed from the chest down after a horrific crash during last Saturday's Swedish Division One fixture between Team Bikab and Filbyterna.

Elvin King

FORMER Ipswich Evening Star Witches favourite Kim Jansson has been left paralysed from the chest down after a horrific crash during last Saturday's Swedish Division One fixture between Team Bikab and Filbyterna.

The accident happened in heat 12 after a collision between Jansson's team mate Daniel Henderson and Filbyterna's Robert Henderson.

Jansson hit one of the fallen bikes and was catapulted into the fence.

The 26-year-old was immediately rushed to hospital where doctors diagnosed two crushed vertebrae.

Jansson was transferred to a hospital in Gothenburg where he underwent an operation on Sunday evening.

Jansson, who rode for Ipswich between 2002 and 2007, has been out of action for most of this season after breaking a thigh in an Elite League meeting for Smederna at the beginning of May.

Witches team manager Pete Simmons has expressed his concern for Jansson, who was sponsored by Simmons' company Sano UK.

“Kim lived with me for two and a half years and he was like an elder brother to my son Luke,” said Simmons.

“We are all feeling for him, and keeping our fingers crossed.

“He was airlifted to a Gothenburg hospital and we are aware of the serious nature of his injuries.”

Another former Ipswich rider Lawrence Hare was left paralysed by a crash at Newport in April 2002, while the dangers involved in the sport have been highlighted by severe injuries that have seen Mark Loram and Chris Louis sidelined for the long terms.

Cards and good wishes can be sent to Sano UK and they will forward them on to the rider and his family.

The address is Sano UK Powered Stairclimbers, Bristol Court, Betts Avenue, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP5 3RY.