CHIEF paramedic Jason Gillingham today admitted that Ipswich Evening Star Witches speedway rider Piotr Swiderski had a remarkable escape at Foxhall Stadium last night.

Elvin King

CHIEF paramedic Jason Gillingham today admitted that Ipswich Evening Star Witches speedway rider Piotr Swiderski had a remarkable escape at Foxhall Stadium last night.

“If it had not been for his crash helmet he would have come off a great deal worse,“ said Gillingham.

“He went through the fence at huge speed and was unconscious when we first got to him.

“It was a remarkable escape.

“He has full use of his arms and legs and could walk from the medical room at the stadium to the ambulance.

“I was adamant that he went to hospital for a check as he must have still taken a heavy bang to his head.

“Luckily the helmet took most of the damage, and the lad is very lucky indeed.”

Gillingham is a veteran of the crashes that left first Mark Loram and then Chris Louis with badly broken or shattered bones, and when Swiderski hurtled through the air fence at breakneck speed everybody in the stadium feared the worst.

There was an eerie silence, and it was a great relief to one and all when it was announced that the stricken rider was talking to Gillingham and his expert medical team.

Ipswich have their next meeting on Wednesday when they ride at Poole, followed by a home contest with Lakeside the following night.

Unless he suffers a reaction Swiderski should be fit for both.

He said before being taken away in the ambulance: “I can remember all about the crash and it was not a nice feeling to be going so hard into the fence.

“My bike got caught in the air fence, and I was thrown into the air.

“Thankfully I landed in a good way although I expect a few bruises and a headache perhaps.”