British speedway rider Lee Richardson has died following a crash in Poland, his team have confirmed.
Richardson (33) was competing for PGE Marma Rzeszow against Betard Sparta Wroclaw when his bike crashed into a safety fence.
The Lakeside Hammers captain was taken to a hospital in Wroclaw but died from his injuries.
A statement on the Hammers' website read: "All at the club are devastated at the loss of a great captain, man and more than anything else a wonderful father and husband.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this most sad of times and we know that all Hammers fans will share our total devastation at this tragic news."
Tributes quickly poured in for Richardson, who was world Under-21 champion in 1999, with many riders taking to Twitter to express their shock and disbelief at the news.
World champion Greg Hancock wrote: "Unreal news I just heard! It doesn't seem real and another innocent one is gone. Our thoughts are with the whole Richardson family."
The British Speedway Promoters' Association said it was shocked and saddened by the news.
"The BSPA's thoughts are with Lee's family and friends at this awful time," the organisation said.
PA