Tai Woffinden health update: Speedway star in coma after horror crash as wife flies across world to be at his side
TAI WOFFINDEN remains in a “stable condition” after sustaining multiple injuries in a horror crash in Poland.
Britain’s most successful speedway rider of all-time was airlifted to hospital in Krosno on Saturday after the dreadful first bend incident.
Woffy, 34, was caught in a three-rider pile-up and smashed into the airfence at high speed while racing for Rzeszow.
He was airlifted from the circuit by helicopter to hospital with suspected injuries including a broken femur, both hands and ribs.
The Rzeszów club have released this statement today: “The patient was transported to our hospital by Air Ambulance ok. the hours are 7:00 pm.
“He was admitted to the hospital with a multisocial injury, numerous fractured limbs and a chest injury. He was operated on by the orthopedic and surgical team until 2:00 a.m.
“At the moment his condition is stable, mechanically ventilated and remains in a pharmacological coma.
“He is in the Intensive Care Clinic where he remains under the care of his doctors. Decisions regarding further treatment will be made after further orthopedic consultations.”
Woffinden’s wife Faye, who plays a huge part of his racing team, has flown from Australia to Poland to be with him. His mum Sue also travelled out to be by his side.
His UK club Sheffield have also released a statement, adding: “As you are most likely aware, Sheffield racer Tai Woffinden was involved in a crash whilst racing in Poland on Sunday.
“Whilst we understand the concern for Tai’s health and wellbeing, Sheffield Speedway will not be going into any further detail at this stage.
“We are in constant communication with his family – who have confirmed that reports in the Polish media have gone out without their permission or approval.
“Members of Tai’s family will be flying to the hospital later on Monday evening, where he is currently being treated, and will provide the club with a full update as and when they have learned the full facts and when they are comfortable in doing so.
“Sheffield Speedway once again politely asks supporters not to respond to rumours out of respect to Tai and his family.”
It was Woffinden’s second competitive meeting back racing after another horror crash ended his 2024 season with a shattered elbow, also in Poland late last June.
Good wishes have poured in for the Scunthorpe-born rider. His good pal, ex-World Champion, and fellow Monster Energy ambassador, Greg Hancock said: “Feeling for Tai. Racing can be brutal.”
His former Polish club Wroclaw stated: “Unfortunately a very serious accident in Krosno was reported by Tai Woffinden. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
Woffinden has won everything in the sport with three World Championship titles and the Speedway of Nations for Great Britain.
Yet has been cursed with bad luck sustaining injuries over the past few years. He has broken his back, hand, shoulder blade and collarbone twice over the years.
In an interview last year with SunSport, he admitted: “You get injured when you are pushing the boundaries and you are trying 110 per cent. That’s normally when you crash and get injured.
“That’s when I’m putting in the effort. Sometimes you do go home in an ambulance but that’s what we do, right?
“I’m used to it. I don’t think the fans realise, especially the ones that give you a roasting now and again, I’ve been injured every year since 2019. And I’m still at the top of my game.
“In 2019 I broke my back and shoulder blade year after tore ligaments in my foot twice and finished the season with two broken bones in my hand.
“In 2021 smashed my shoulder and was out for a month and then crashed in Manchester in the Speedway of Nations. Then more over the past two years.
“I’ve worked it out, my accumulative injuries since 2019, has caused me to miss a whole season if you put all the time off put together.”