- Scunthorpe’s Tai Woffinden, 34, was involved in a collision with a team-mate
- He sustained multiple fractures and a chest injury and was airlifted to hospital
- Woffinden was placed in a medically induced coma and is stable in intensive care
Britain’s most decorated speedway racer is in a medically induced coma in hospital after being involved in a three-man collision in Poland.
Tai Woffinden, 34, was racing for his club Rzeszow on Sunday when he tangled with his team-mate and crashed heading into the first turn.
A three-time world champion, Woffinden was airlifted to hospital in Krosno for emergency treatment while the meeting was subsequently abandoned.
Club officials confirmed Woffinden suffered multiple fractures and an injury to his chest during the pile-up. He is in a stable condition in intensive care.
Woffinden was due to return to the UK to compete for the Sheffield Tigers in the British Speedway Premiership against Birmingham on Thursday night.
A statement from the South Yorkshire outfit asked supporters to remain respectful of Woffinden and his family by avoiding sharing rumours about the incident.
British speedway racer Tai Woffinden is in an induced coma after crashing in Poland
Woffinden was involved in a three-man pile-up before being airlifed to a nearby hospital
The 34-year-old is a three-time world champion and also races for the Sheffield Tigers
‘As you are most likely aware, Sheffield racer Tai Woffinden was involved in a crash whilst racing in Poland on Sunday,’ the statement read.
‘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.’
Woffinden won three Grand Prix world titles in 2013, 2015 and 2018, and also finished runner-up in 2016 and 2020. He joined Sheffield in 2024 after previously riding for Scunthorpe, Rye House, Poole and Wolverhampton in the UK.
Rob Godfrey, the promoter of the Scunthorpe Scorpions, where Woffinden began his career in 2006, said the ‘speedway world will be hoping for a speedy recovery’.
‘I spoke to him last week and he was so focused on his racing,’ he said.
‘This was going to be a rebuilding year to get back to the world championships in 2026 so it’s bitterly disappointing.
‘Every time these riders get on a bike they put themselves on the line. Hopefully he will recover from it and be ok again.’
Woffinden only recently returned to action after his previous campaign was brought to a premature end due to a broken elbow suffered nine months ago.
