By Leslie McLean, Freelance Writer
Lance Douglas negotiates a deep corner in a previous appearance at Dover. - File
CLAREMONT:
34-YEAR-OLD LANCE Douglas, who won his first national championship at the Dover Raceway, in St. Ann, last year was killed at the same venue yesterday after his motorcycle got out of control and crashed.
According to reports, at about 12 noon, Douglas, who has represented Jamaica at meets in Guyana and Miami, was in the process of negotiating a corner when he lost control of his motorcycle and was thrown from the speeding machine.
Douglas, who received multiple injuries to his body, was rushed to the nearby St. Ann's Bay Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival.
Dr. Ravi Sirapurapu, doctor in charge of emergency at the hospital, told The Gleaner that he was not on duty at the time Douglas was brought in. However, he said that he was informed that the cyclist was already dead when he was taken to the hospital.
Douglas reportedly got in-volved in racing just over 10 years ago after responding favourably to an invitation extended to him by Patty Wong, the then meet director at the Dover Raceway.
Following his success last year when he took home the coveted champion cyclist title, Douglas stated that it felt great to be a champion. He also expressed a desire to race internationally.
"Right now I am just racing for fun and I will continue to race competitively as long as life last," Douglas told The Gleaner in an interview last year. "I am looking towards the day when the opportunity comes for me to race on the international circuit."
