
Motocross star Joel Evans dies in horror crash aged just 30 - as police appeal for witnesses to contact CrimeStoppers
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.
'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.'
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.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


STV News
5 hours ago
- STV News
Investigation into 'large-scale' cannabis farm with £640,000 worth of drugs
Police have launched an investigation after a 'large-scale' cannabis farm containing drugs worth £640,000 was discovered in Alloa. Officers say around 5.30pm on Tuesday, a warrant was executed at a premises on Church Street where a large-scale cannabis cultivation was discovered. Drugs worth approximately £640,000 were found within and enquiries are ongoing. Detective Inspector John Currie said: 'This recovery means a significant quantity of drugs will not end up on our streets. 'Drugs cause misery in our communities, and we are determined to disrupt the supply of illegal substances and trace those involved. 'This recovery underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country's Serious Organised Crime Strategy. 'In addition to the contributing to the illegal trade of drugs, these cultivations pose a serious fire risk and anyone with suspicions that a premises is being used as a cultivation is urged to contact us. 'Information from the public is absolutely crucial to our work and we urge anyone with knowledge or concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


Edinburgh Reporter
9 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Man 36 due in court after significant cannabis cultivation discovered in West Lothian
A 36-year-old man has been arrested, charged and is expected to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court today, Thursday, 12 June, 2025 after drugs with an estimated street value of around £340,000 were seized in Uphall. Around 9.40am on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, officers attended an address in the South Middleton area where a cannabis cultivation was discovered within Officers said that their enquiries are ongoing. Detective Sergeant John Irvine said: 'This is a significant recovery and is an example of our efforts to disrupt the activity of illegal drugs in Scotland. 'Drugs cause misery in our communities and the public has an important role to play in helping Police Scotland target those responsible for the cultivation, supply and sale of illegal substances. 'In addition, this recovery underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country's Serious Organised Crime Strategy. 'Anyone with any information or concerns about drugs in their community can call Police Scotland on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.' Like this: Like Related


BBC News
13 hours ago
- BBC News
Wolverhampton witness appeal after crash assault
Police are appealing for witnesses after a driver was reportedly assaulted following a crash in said a grey VW Golf and a man riding a black mountain bike collided on Clifford Street, in Whitmore Reans, at about 16:20 BST on the incident, it was the understood the cyclist approached the car and "assaulted the driver", West Midlands Police men then left the scene, with the cyclist heading in the direction of Albert Road and the driver leaving in a second vehicle. No injuries have been reported but the force said it had reviewed CCTV and was working to identify those involved."We'd ask drivers who were in the area at the time to check their dashcam and for any pedestrians who were walking nearby to speak with us," a spokesperson can also be submitted anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.