Friends of Oxford Cheetahs speedway rider Jon Underwood are mourning their hero after his death in a motorway crash in Belgium.

Underwood, 24, was killed while travelling back from a grasstrack meeting in the Dutch city of Groningen on Sunday when the multi-seat Citroen in which he was a passenger crossed the central reservation and flipped on to its roof.

Despite the swift reaction of paramedics who rushed to the scene, Underwood, who earned himself an Elite League place with Oxford earlier this year, was declared dead after being thrown from the vehicle.

Police said the male driver of the Citroen was taken to hospital in Ostend with two female passengers. Underwood rode for the Cheetahs in the No 7 position and was always willing to take on extra rides. But, following team changes, he went to the Premier League and Arena Essex.

However, he remained an Oxford asset and promoters Steve and Vanessa Purchase said: "Obviously at this time, our thoughts are with Jon's family, and we will do whatever we can to help them through this difficult period."

Underwood, who had been riding grasstrack bikes since he was 11, ran his own motorcycle repair business.

Oxford Speedway will hold a minute's silence as a mark of respect before their Elite League clash at home to Belle Vue tomorrow.