Motocross identity Joel Evans dies after crash at ProMX Championship round at Gillman

Tragedy has struck twice as a horror crash claimed the life of a celebrated motocross rider. Now his fiance shares the heartbreaking twist his loss represents.

The rider who died after a crash at a motocross event at Gillman on Sunday has been identified as popular motocross figure Joel Evans. Picture: Facebook

The rider who died after a crash at a motocross event at Gillman on Sunday has been identified as Joel Evans, who was due to become a father in October.

His heartbroken fiance Michaela Hurt posted on Instagram: “Yesterday we lost the most incredible person on this earth. The most authentic, loved and kind hearted soul.

“He loved and devoted his life to this sport which brought him so much joy and he rode it out right till the end.

“We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our beautiful man.

“He is such a loved partner, uncle, brother, friend and son but most proudly a father to our adored little boy who is joining us in October.”

The couple became engaged in October 2024 after 11 years together.

Evans’ sister, Renae Ferris described the family’s heartbreak.

“What do you say when you have no words? Yesterday our lives changed forever,” she wrote on social media.

“Intuitively, I woke with a deeper calling for presence. My heart’s daily reminder was ‘Appreciate what you have, don’t wait until it’s gone’.

“Eight hours later, I got the phone call that no one wants to hear. I could never have imagined that it was going to be the day that my little brother took his final breath.

“Joel was doing what he loved and was in one of the happiest eras of his life, but that doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.

“He used to joke about not wanting to get old – now he never has to.”

Emergency services were called to the Gillman Speedway about 3.20pm following a crash at a motorsport event.

Round three of the 2025 ProMX Championship at Gillman was abandoned due to a “serious incident that occurred this afternoon in MX1 Moto 2, which requires the complete attention of trackside medical resources”.

The rider who died after a crash at a motocross event at Gillman on Sunday has been identified as popular motocross figure Joel Evans. Picture: Facebook

SA Police confirmed a 30-year-old man from Queensland sustained serious injuries in the crash and was rushed to hospital but later died.

MXRP Motorcycle Performance posted an online tribute to rider Joel Evans on Monday morning.

“Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Joel Evans, his family and close friends” the post said.

“If we talked about passion for the sport of Motocross in Australia Joel was that guy, he brought the same passion and drive to go racing year after year.

“You will be missed by many and forgotten by none, you’re flying high now mate.”

Joel Evans died in a motocross tragedy on the weekend.

A friend, Stephen Smith, paid tribute to Evans in an emotional post.

“RIP Joely, you were one of the best humans on this planet. I’ve been honoured to be one of your mates,’ Mr Smith posted.

“Watching you grow up, slogging out motos with you at Kingaroy and around Queensland, both of us wanting to get to the top of our motocross game

Saddened to see you go so soon, and condolences to the rest of your awesome family

In 2015, Evans was badly injured on a horror incident at the Murray Bridge motocross track.

Emergency surgery at the Royal Adelaide hospital revealed fractured C5 and C6 vertebrae and a shattered vertebral disc that had splintered into his spinal cord.

Inside three weeks he was back in Queensland and starting basic exercises, before recovering to get back on the bike within a year and celebrated a return to the Murray Bridge track in 2016.

Sunday’s incident comes just months after beloved motorbike rider Troy Knights died after a tragic crash at the Gillman Speedway track.

Knights was competing in the flat track championship at Gillman Speedway in November, 2024 when he collided with the motorcycle in front of him after its rider fell off.

Police request anyone who was present at the race meeting on Sunday and may have footage of the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote 25-50M.

Originally published as Motocross identity Joel Evans dies after crash at ProMX Championship round at Gillman