PROMISING and highly-talented daredevil freestyle motocross rider Tyrone Gilks has died after a training run to break a world record ended in horrifying circumstances.
The 19-year-old from Lake Macquarie was taken to John Hunter Hospital on Thursday morning with critical chest injuries after failing to make a 90-metre jump at Maitland Showground.
He passed away during surgery on Thursday night.
Ambulance services were called to the showground about 10.35am following reports a man had come off his motorbike.
The young rider was practising for a world-record breaking jump planned for Saturday night at the Maitland Bike and Hot Rod Show.
Gilks had previously smashed records riding on 65cc, 85cc and 125cc motorcycles and was looking to take on Robbie Maddison’s benchmark of 94.61metres on a 250cc.