A YOUNG speedway rider was seriously injured when he was involved in a road accident in Germany just hours after representing Britain in an international fixture.

Grant MacDonald, 20, who rides for Newcastle Diamonds, had been taking part in the World Under-21 Championships in Sweden when the van he was travelling in was involved in a collision with a car near Bremen.

German doctors in Oldenburg were yesterday considering whether to operate on two cracked vertebrae in the rider's neck.

His father, Don MacDonald, 42, said that his son was able to move his limbs, although the extent of his injuries was still unknown.

He said: "At the moment, the doctors are trying to ascertain whether the vertebrae are fractured or broken, but I have spoken to Grant and his condition is not life-threatening, and thankfully, he can move his limbs."

Grant, was asleep with two Australian riders when the accident occurred on Sunday.

The van, being driven by former Diamonds team manager Tom Graham, of Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, rolled over and Grant and a number of motorbikes were thrown out of the back doors.

The other passengers suffered minor injuries and Mr Graham was concussed, but has since recovered.

Grant had only just missed out on qualifying for the finals of the World Championships in Norkping, Sweden, when the accident happened.