News flooded the Australian dirt bike industry yesterday afternoon after Toby Price was injured during an AMA National Hare and Hound event in Lucerne Valley, California.

I personally first saw the news via Dirt Action on Facebook and then, sadly, in typical Price fashion he advised his fans with confirmation yesterday afternoon that the bad news was true.

Price, in a halo and hospitalised, broke three bones in his neck and also his thumb. Surgery is required and we haven’t even considered a recovery time at this point.

But as Price explains, it could have been much, much worse. Somehow in a mirracle turn of events, his neck injuries have not affected his feeling in his lower limbs. It’s a scary prospect to even think about.

“Ended up in hospital and broke three bones in my neck and my left thumb,” he wrote. “Very lucky I have full movement because I should be done from the neck down – they are blown away I’m still moving.”

It’s a huge blow for Australian off-road racing and also for the Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing Team, but obviously his health is paramount at this stage. Everybody is thinking of Toby and extending support via social networking, which I’m sure he no doubt appreciates.

The AORC series looks as though it will be blown wide open at this point after the defending three-time champion dominated three of the first four rounds. Still, you can guarantee his oponents would rather race a healthy Price head-to-head than have him sidelined like this.

Price’s cameo appearance just past the five-minute mark of Adam Riemann’s latest online masterpiece – The Power of Sound – signifies so many things about his position in the sport of off-road.

For near three minutes of the film, Price throws the 300 EXC around like it’s a purpose-built Supercross bike. His style is flawless and no doubt these abilities are why we’ve seen the AORC number one racing in national SX rounds at times during recent seasons. Put simply, he just loves to ride.

It is Price who blurs the lines between being a polished Motocross pro or a relaxed off-road legend. He features the commercial strengths and appeal of the top moto guys, but relates to the enduro enthusiasts with his ever-kind and easy going nature. He’s just a really good guy.

His dream of competing in the US full time was closer than ever in 2013 and he’s already been making a huge name for himself over there as well. Hopefully that can continue in the years to come as he works to be Australia’s next top export.

Toby, we wish you all the best and can’t wait to see you back at a circuit sometime soon. Heal up, buddy! For now, check out Riemann’s two-stroke feature film…