Disabled driver injured in record bid

A DISABLED man broke his arms and a leg when he crashed a racing car while trying to reach speeds in excess of 200mph in Essex.

Former racing driver David Edwards, who is in his late forties and comes from London, was "seriously hurt" in the crash involving his Lola T222 on a test track in Wethersfield.

He was attempting to set a number of UK speed records to publicise the work of Aspire – a charity which works with spinal-injury victims.

Aspire said Mr Edwards is in a stable condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and is "recovering well".

A charity spokeswoman said Mr Edwards was a wheelchair user who lost the use of his legs after suffering a spinal injury in a road crash 15 years ago.

She said the racing car had been adapted so Mr Edwards could operate all controls with his hands.

"He was trying to set a number of different speed records over a mile," she said.

Aspire said Mr Edwards is a "role model" who aims to show that disabled people can lead "fulfilled" lives and it fully supported his record attempt.

Police said Mr Edwards was driving at a former air base on land owned by the Ministry of Defence and an investigation was under way.