Eighteen-year-old Western Australian pro rider Abia Ashton has passed away after succumbing to injuries sustained in a crash at a motocross meeting last weekend at the Karratha Motocross track.

Ashton was flown to Royal Perth Hospital following the accident where he remained in a critical condition for the past two days. Suffering sever brain damage as a result of the accident, his family making the heart breaking decision to turn of Abia’s life support at 22:22 on Tuesday evening. The exact time was to honor his racing number (22) and that of his hero Chad Reed (22).

After a successful Junior career, Ashton grew into a fierce competitor and was a regular front runner in the states Pro Lites field as well as one of the West’s most popular and liked riders.

North West Motorcycle Association president Rob Mcwhirter paid tribute to the fallen talent.

“It is with the utmost regret and sorrow that I am informing you all of the passing of one of our family,” Mcwhirter wrote. “For everyone that was fortunate enough to meet Abia would know how passionate he was about his beloved sport, and how he would not have us to wallow in sorry, but instead grab every opportunity and to take that inside line and make that impossible pass.

“Abia was a quite achiever, never wanting the spotlight, but was always giving it his all. He rode with the tenacity and skill that would rival the best, but still was so gracious to all the rest. His smile was contagious and his humor was subtle, but his skills where silky and his style was smooth, people knew when ‘Abia’ was on stage.

“Words cannot express the feelings that we have and words cannot undo the undoable, Tears of sorry may stain our face and the pain of heartfelt sorry may pierce our hearts, but the memory of one of the most wonderful and sincere riders that graced our tracks will never fade.

“Abia is a son, a brother and friend to all, so please join with me and offer our prayers to the Ashton family, our thoughts and sincere condolences To Barry, Millie Lifu and Tawani, your sorrow is felt by all.

“Our friend may have gone but our bond has grown stronger,” Mcwhirter concluded.

Funeral announcements will be made in the coming days.

Thanks to FullNoise for the report on the sad news.