Speedway snapper comes a cropper

Hastings photographer Daniel Reyland says his biggest worry was his camera gear when he was sent flying. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Minutes after taking a shot of medics attending to an injured sidecar rider, photographer Daniel Reyland found himself in the back of an ambulance after being struck by an out-of-control vehicle seconds after the race restart.

"It's just one of those things," Reyland said yesterday as he reflected on the incident at Meeanee Speedway on Saturday which left him with a broken foot, a lacerated finger and plenty of bruises.

The impact sent the Hastings photographer flying into the air - but his biggest fear was damage to his photographic equipment.

"I saw there was skin taken off my finger and I felt a pain down my side ... but my big worry was the camera gear," Reyland said.

He described the incident as "one of those things" and said there was always a risk while taking shots from the infield.

"I'd got a shot of guys getting taken away in an ambulance after a crash ... and then I got taken out.

"I heard yelling and turned to see the number 22 coming at me ... I remember seeing the number vividly," he said.

"It's just one of those things."

Reyland said the rider and passenger immediately ran up and apologised.

"I said, 'Hey, it's not your fault."'

The driver, Chris Lane of Havelock North, said he felt bad for the rest of the night after the incident.

"I was pretty bummed out, a bit shaky. I'm so pleased he's okay," Mr Lane said.

He said he had got a good fast run into a corner but then struck a slight bump and the outfit speared to the right. He was unable to correct and put it sideways as it ran across the infield, trying to scrub off speed.

"I could see him there. I was screaming out."

He said he would call and see Reyland when he was back from a contracting job out of town.

"I'll have to buy him a beer."

- APN