Critical condition: Tyrone Gilks. Photo: Ryan Osland
A daredevil freestyle motorcycle rider is in a critical condition after a training run for a world record jump went horribly wrong on the central coast on Thursday morning.
Tyrone Gilks, aged 19, has been taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
An ambulance media spokeswoman said paramedics were called at 10.35am after reports a 19-year-old had come off his motorbike.
Tyronne Gilks, then aged 16, breaks 125cc motorcycle jump. Photo: Kate Leith
"He hit the ground at high speed, is in a critical condition suffering critical head and chest injuries," she said.
Earlier this week, he told the Newcastle Herald he would be attempting to break one of the world's major motorcycle jump records on Saturday.
Gilks set world distance records on 65cc and 85cc motorcycles before deciding to take on jump supremo Robbie Maddison's 125 cc world record in 2010, breaking it by almost 6.5 metres.
He told Fairfax Media he would be training in the few days leading up to the jump.
"I'll make some practice jumps and do some calculations. In the end, it'll be all up to me," he said.
A fan site has already been flooded with well wishes: "Thoughts and prayers are with you Tyrone!! Stay strong!!"
"Praying for you bro!"
The Newcastle Herald reported that Tyrone would ride his motorcycle at full speed for almost 1000 metres, hit the take-off ramp and fly for almost 100 metres then hit the short landing ramp and attempt to stay upright.
Gilks, who now lives on the Gold Coast, recently took second place overall and best jump trick at New Zealand’s famous Farm Jam festival.
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