Weekend paramedics were called yet again to Sand Del Lee Raceway in Richmond after a 16-year-old boy sustained serious head and spinal injuries during a motocross race Sunday morning.
The boy regained consciousness while arriving at hospital but remains in serious condition after the incident at the Conley Road facility.
Five young men between the ages of 15 and 19 were rushed to hospital Saturday afternoon after a near-fatal collision at San Del Lee. Two helicopters were needed to assist with emergency treatment.
An earlier race on Saturday sent two others to hospital.
Hundreds of racers from Ontario to Newfoundland have descended on the track for the Eastern Amateur National Motocross Championships. They ranged in age and ability from a four-year-old to full-fledged professionals.
None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening and ranged from broken arms and clavicles to lacerations and head injuries.
"To have that many happen at the same time in completely unrelated circumstances was definitely strange," said Johnny Grant, the track's co-owner.
On-site services needed: paramedics
But Ottawa paramedics become familiar with Sand Del Lee every summer during motocross racing season; calls have been reported on 12 days alone over the past two months
Paramedics say organizers of such special events should contract on-site medical units from the City of Ottawa to prevent shortages of available emergency staff in other neighbourhoods.
"Yesterday when we had six patients, basically the entire west end of the city's available resources at the time were sent quite a distance to respond," said Superintendent Paul Morneau of the Ottawa Paramedic Service.
Organizers told CTV Ottawa that while serious injuries are rare, paramedics are often called by the race's medical director as a precaution.
"I've broken a couple of bones but that's the way it is," said Ottawa pro Tyler Medaglia. "This is what I love to do. I get paid to do it. I worked hard my whole life to be a pro."
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
