British quad biker racer, 24, dies after her vehicle flips and crushes her on an ‘extreme’ slope known as Killer Hill in Romania
- Katie Hodgson died after losing control of bike on Romania ‘extreme course’
- Leading competition rider from Coventry described as ‘full of passion and love’
- Racer boyfriend Richard Freestone was ahead of her on route before accident
A British quad biker has died after her vehicle flipped and crushed her on a dangerous slope known as ‘Killer Hill’ during a race in Romania.
Katie Hodgson, 24, a leading competition rider from Coventry, was driving down the ‘extreme route’ in the Hunt the Wolf, one of the world’s toughest races for all terrain vehicles (ATVs).
She was rushed to hospital, but doctors were unable to save her.
Her long-term boyfriend and fellow racer, Richard Freestone, was ahead of her on the route prior to her accident.
Katie Hodgson, 24, (pictured) has died after her losing control of her quad bike on an ‘extreme route’ of Romania all-terrain race course event
In a tribute to Katie, he said: ‘Katie was a true Yorkshire lass full of passion and love, who always lived life to the full and made new friends wherever she went. ‘Katie will forever more, be truly loved and sorely missed. Miss you princess.’
Katie was a lifelong racer and one of a small number of successful female competitors.
Killer Hill is described as one of the most challenging sections of the race, with a gradient of around 70 per cent, and is known by racers as a notorious accident blackspot.
Katie’s vehicle, a Can-Am Renegade, came off the track and fell down the hill-side after she braked and lost control. She was then crushed by her own ATV.
The leading competition rider from Coventry lost her life after an accident on ‘Killer Hill’, a well-known blackspot on the course where the gradient is said to reach 70 per cent incline
She reportedly had to wait 15 minutes for medical help but doctors could not revive her and she was declared dead on arrival at hospital.
Fellow racers voted to abandon the race as a mark of respect.
Katie was described by a fellow racer as ‘as the most determined and committed rider out there with a passion to win.’
Katie’s interest in quadbikes began as a toddler and she had been competing around the UK and Europe for the last decade.
In that time, she has been fully supported by parents Gary and Sara, from West Lutton, East Yorkshire, as well as younger sister Sophie, her partner Dan and the family dog, Izzy.
Boyfriend and fellow racer Richard Freestone paid tribute to Katie as a ‘Yorkshire lass full of passion and love, who always lived life to the full’
Most recently, Katie had been riding for Dragon Quad Racing. Graham Guy, British ambassador of the Hunt the Wolf race and friend and fellow racer of Katie, described her as a committed rider and one who will be hugely missed.
‘I have competed against Katie on quads now for four years,’ said Graham. ‘On the track, she was the most determined and committed rider out there with a passion to win.
Fellow racers voted to abandon the race as a mark of respect following the accident
‘But off-track, she was the nicest, most modest person you could ever wish to meet. She was always smiling.
‘Katie could take a defeat as gracefully as a win. She wasn’t overwhelmed in what is predominantly a male-dominated sport and would then beat most of them.
‘Katie was a beautiful girl inside and out. She will be massively missed for many years to come.’
Katie enjoyed plenty of success on her quadbike and in 2017, she finished third in the 4×4 Weston Beach Race in Weston-Super-Mare, a three-hour endurance race and the biggest beach race in the UK.
The same year, Katie was the winner of the 4×4 In Lights class at the British XC Championships, winning the Ladies Championship and repeating the feat 12 months later. Just two months ago, Katie competed in her ninth Le Touquet Beach Race in northern France, crossing the finishing line as the third best lady in a field of over 400 bikes.
Andy Holt, chairman of Dragon Quad Racing (DQR), said: ‘I only knew Katie for a short time, but I saw that she was a fantastic competitor and extremely talented, winning multiple 4×4 races against some very good riders. She was a multiple British 4×4 champion.
‘Aside from her riding, she always came across as a lovely person, very happy, always smiling whenever you saw her and never without her little dog! She will be sorely missed by us all at DQR.’
British racing ambassador Graham Guy, said: ‘On the track, she was the most determined and committed rider out there with a passion to win. But off-track, she was the nicest, most modest person you could ever wish to meet’
Hunt the Wolf race organiser, Oliver Renzlen, added: ‘Katie had all that a great rider needs. She had fun when racing and competing without being overly ambitious and she had great riding skills.
‘As everybody should have participating in Hunt the Wolf, she did it for fun and not for glory. Katie always had a friendly attitude towards everybody else in the camp which is the key to keep Hunt the Wolf a ‘fight among friends’.
‘I will miss her a lot and the moment racers of a different attitude will begin to become the norm is the day there will be no more CFMOTO Hunt the Wolf.’
Katie also had a love for horses and managed a livery yard in Warwickshire, finishing second in the Solihull Summer Dressage Series whilst competing on two horses which she broke in herself.
She owned Heidi and Louie at her home in Coventry, as well as Gem and Sparky who lived in West Lutton, the latter on whom she won several shows from a young age.
Katie enjoyed plenty of success on her quadbike and in 2017, she finished third in the 4×4 Weston Beach Race in Weston-Super-Mare, a three-hour endurance race and the biggest beach race in the UK
Katie left Driffield School & Sixth Form in 2011 and Darren Andrews from the school said: ‘It is with sadness that we hear about the tragic loss of Katie.
‘As a student of Driffield School & Sixth Form we were proud of her achievements.
‘Always a popular and respected student, Katie was valued highly by both her peers and staff. Her friendly and open manner enriched the lives of many, who will miss her greatly.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.’
Funeral details are to be arranged.
A JustGiving page has been created in Katie’s memory in support of her family and donations reached over £3,000 in 48 hours.
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