End of competition career for Morgan

From CMRC Racing

STOUFFVILLE, ON -- It has been confirmed by doctors that the back injuries Blair Morgan sustained during a practice session accident for the Montreal Supercross on Saturday have resulted in permanent paralysis for the multi-time motocross and snowcross champion.

The accident, which occurred on a jump, caused Morgan's middle back vertebrae to separate and sever his spinal cord.

The 33-year-old Morgan underwent emergency surgery at the Montreal General Hospital and has been progressing well since. According to his physician Morgan is paralyzed from the chest down. The Prince Albert, SK native is expected to be transferred to a facility in Saskatoon within the next week, where he will focus on recovering and working closely with physiotherapists.

“We are deeply saddened and concerned with the recent injury to our pro racer and personal friend, Blair Morgan, last weekend in Montreal. Blair has been part of the Blackfoot Family for the last 10 years and has always been the true professional, both on and off the track,” said Team Yamaha Blackfoot Racing's Jason Mitchell. “He has a huge fan base and following wherever he competed and was a role model for all the young riders in both dirt and snow.

"We know that Blair is a fighter and if anyone can work his way through this new path in life it will be him.”

Morgan's crash has sent shockwaves through both the motocross and snowcross world, where his absence on the race track will be missed in the coming years. In addition to winning eight national Canadian motocross championships, Morgan won numerous world titles, including a record five WinterX Games gold medals, in snowcross competition.

“Like everyone else, we have been severely affected and deeply saddened by Blair Morgan's accident and subsequent career-ending injury. This turn of events cannot be described as anything less than a tragic loss for the sport of motocross in Canada and international snowcross racing,” said CMRC president Mark Stallybrass. “Blair has been a great ambassador for the sport of motocross, and has always conducted himself in a positive and professional manner at CMRC nationals for over a decade. Our thoughts and sympathy are with Blair and his family."