Morecambe co-driver walks away from high-speed smash

Tom Woodburn and driver Tom Walster crash at the Somerset Stages Rally. Picture: Dave Johnson

The pair who had retired from the previous two rounds of the Kick Start 1400 Rally Championship, were attempting to close down a nine-second gap to second place over the Bats Castle test and get their title challenge back on track.

The attempt ended in disaster though when the Suzuki Swift ran wide at speed, falling off the road and hitting a tree stump.

The impact with the stump ripped out the car’s sump guard before it rolled down the embankment, before coming to rest and catching fire.

Woodburn and Walster's car after their crash at the Somerset Stages Rally. Picture: Dave Johnson

Both Woodburn and Walster were assisted from the wrecked vehicle by spectators and event safety teams before being airlifted to hospital for check-ups.

While Walster suffered a broken pelvis, Woodburn, while in a great deal of pain, emerged with only bruising, with the car’s safety devices doing their jobs and protecting the crew.

Woodburn said: “We’d had a good event and with a strong second place within reach, we were pushing hard when the accident happened.

“Tom and I owe a lot of people thanks for helping us out, not least of all our service team who built such a strong car that kept us from a worse outcome.

“The event safety team were first class, and the spectators who helped us get out of the car straight after the crash as it was catching fire, I’m particularly grateful too.”