- Joel Evans was racing in South Australia last weekend
- Was rushed to hospital but died on Sunday night
Motocross star Joel Evans is being mourned after a horror crash during a race cost him his life aged just 30.
The racer from Kingaroy, Queensland was competing at the ProMX Championship at Gilman in Adelaide’s north when tragedy struck at around 3.20pm on Sunday.
Emergency services were called to the track and the competition was abandoned while Evans was rushed to hospital, where he died.
South Australian Police confirmed he sustained serious injuries in the crash, and officers have asked that anyone who was at the race and has footage of the incident contact Crime Stoppers.
Evans’ sister Renae Ferris posted an emotional online tribute after the awful news broke.
‘What do you say when you have no words? Yesterday our lives changed forever,’ she wrote.
Joel Evans (pictured with his fiancee Michaela Hurt) died in hospital after crashing his bike during a race in Adelaide’s north on Sunday
Evans – who had fought back from almost being paralysed in a previous accident – is being mourned by family and friends
‘I could never have imagined that it was going to be the day that my little brother took his final breath.
‘Joel was doing what he loved and was in one of the happiest eras in his life but that doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.
‘He used to joke about not wanting to get old, now he never has to.
‘The best brother a girl could ask for and an even greater uncle for my girls.’
MXRP Motorcycle Performance also mourned Evans – who leaves behind his fiancee Michaela Hurt – in a statement made on Monday.
‘Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Joel Evans, his family & close friends,’ it read.
‘If we talked about passion for the sport of Motocross in Australia, Joel was that guy, he brought the same passion & drive to go racing year after year.
‘You will be missed by many & forgotten by none, you’re flying high now mate.’
Police have appealed for help from witnesses to the crash that cost the Queensland-born racer (pictured with his fiancee) his life
Evans (pictured competing in Melbourne last year) has been remembered as ‘one of the best humans on this planet’
Evans’ friend Stephen Smith also paid tribute.
‘RIP Joely, you were one of the best humans on this planet. I’ve been honoured to be one of your mates,’ he posted.
‘Watching you grow up, slogging out motos [motocross races] with you at Kingaroy and around Queensland, both of us wanting to get to the top of our motocross game.
‘Saddened to see you go so soon, and condolences to the rest of your awesome family.’
A shocking accident at Murray Bridge, South Australia in 2015 almost left Evans paralysed.
He lost control of his bike while navigating a tricky section of the track and broke the C5 and C6 vertebrae in his neck.
‘I went to get up and nothing happened,’ he recalled in 2016.
‘I just remember the feeling of nothing, and how scared I was.’
Evans fought back and was riding again within 12 months of the accident, despite only having 20 per cent strength in his left arm as he returned to action.
