A TEENAGE speedway star was put into an induced coma after a horror crash during a race.

Tom Brennan, 17, broke his leg in three places during a meeting at Eastbourne.

He was due to have an operation but it was delayed after he began having breathing difficulties.

Doctors at Hastings Conquest Hospital put him on a ventilator this week, and into an induced coma to give his lungs a chance to recover.

His club, Eastbourne Eagles, released a statement to friends and supporters to say Tom is on the road to recovery.

The club said Tom and his family had been overwhelmed by the messages of support they had received.

The Eagles said: “As supporters and all speedway fans and well-wishers will be aware, Tom suffered a bad accident in heat 12 of the meeting at Eastbourne against Glasgow last Saturday.

“Following admittance to Hastings Conquest Hospital on Saturday evening, Tom was assessed and diagnosed with a broken leg in three places to his tibia and fibula.

“An operation to pin and plate the breaks was planned for Monday.

“However, on that day, Tom showed signs of breathing difficulties which meant that the planned operation had to be delayed and these symptoms worsened on Tuesday.

“Following a full consultation with the family, Tom was placed on to a ventilator and an induced coma on Tuesday to both give his lungs chance to recover and to ease his distress.”

Tom is the three-time British Youth Speedway Champion, and made his debut for Eastbourne in 2016.

He has competed in the National League since 2017 and is considered one of the rising talents to look out for.

In the club statement, Eastbourne Eagles today added: “As of this lunchtime, surgeons are ‘very happy’ with the outcome of his operation.

“Tom remains on a ventilator and the plan is to bring him around sometime later today so a further assessment can be made.”

The club said a vital operation on his broken leg had been successful.

In the statement, the club asked fans and those wishing Tom well not to contact the family directly, but to send cards and messages via the club.

They said: “We send them collectively, individually and on behalf of everyone all our love and support.

“The family are very grateful and overwhelmed by all the messages of support at this very difficult time and have apologised for not responding to many of them at this stage.”

For more information about Tom visit: eastbourne-speedway.com.