Teenage motorcycle star Toriano Wilson has died following a crash during a major competition in the United States.

Toriano, of St. David's — a talented 14-year-old tipped to go all the way to the top of the world motorsports scene — sustained fatal injuries in the accident in the Red Bull AMA US Rookies Cup at Virginia International Raceway on Sunday.

The youngster, nicknamed The Animal, fell on the track during the first lap and was struck by another rider as he attempted to get out of the way.

He was airlifted to the University of North Carolina Medical Center for treatment but was pronounced dead on Monday morning, thought to be as a result of internal bleeding.

The other rider, Argentinian Luciano Ribodino, also 14, suffered a broken left arm and left femur, and was taken to Duke Medical Center, Durham, where his condition was yesterday described as stable.

Toriano is said to have been living his dream by pursuing a career as a racer, and was withdrawn from Clearwater Middle School last December so he could receive private tuition while also undergoing extended training and taking part in races.

His family, including former road racer father Dennis Wilson, are believed to have headed out to North Carolina after being told of the tragedy.

Mr. Wilson sold his own car and bike to raise cash so Toriano could compete in the US.

Clearwater principal Carlos Symonds told The Royal Gazette: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of Toriano Wilson's tragic accident.

"He was a remarkable and very popular young man who was full of almost overwhelming energy. Full of adolescence, his release and discharge of this energy was on the race track where he was free to fly, pursue his passion and realise his exceptional talent.

"He would literally beam with pride upon any mention or acknowledgement of his riding skill and accomplishments. Riding excited him — it was his life.

"I remember once, when he was sent to my office, I required that he memorise the following Clearwater affirmation: 'I am an eagle. I was born to fly; to soar to the highest heights of the sky. If my mind can conceive it, I can achieve it, for I am an eagle, born to fly.'

"Toriano continued to get into minor mischief, but he surpassed my expectations by not only memorising those words, but by living them. When he left Clearwater, the school followed his exploits on the Red Bull race team, and we were proud to celebrate and share his achievements.

"He is truly an eagle who flew, touched the sky and followed his passion. He has left an indelible impression on our school and we will miss him.

"Our condolences go out to his family."

Deputy principal Derek Tully said: "He was a lovely little boy. He was focused on what he wanted to be. He was always going to be the best scrambler in the world. That was his dream and his dad's dream as well.

"The Clearwater children, and the teachers and all the staff, will miss him dreadfully."

Dr. Tully said Toriano was popular because of his extraordinary knowledge of motorbikes and engines at such a young age.

"I would always be astonished about how he knew about complicated stuff like velocity — most 12- or 13 year-olds don't know about that kind of stuff, but Toriano soaked it up," he said. "Toriano and bikes were one and the same thing. Sometimes we would say: 'Oh gosh, Toriano, that's dangerous.' It wasn't golf he was playing, and obviously that's not dangerous at all.

"There was always an element of risk in what he was going to be doing, but he and his dad accepted that."

More tributes came from the Island's shocked motorsports community, which also lost 34-year-old Marvin (Skinny) Robinson to a fatal crash at Southside Raceway in May 2007, and cancer victim Kyle Pimental, 22, last July.

Bermuda Motorcycling Racing Club spokesman Paul DeCouto told this newspaper: "Toriano was a great person with a beautiful personality. Him and I spent a lot of time together, going to the media for publicity and so forth; as a student as well, learning different styles of riding. He was just a bright star."

In a reference to Toriano and Mr. Robinson, Mr. DeCouto continued: "Both riders were rising stars with unbelievable talent and also they were both two real angels. Both have been taken away before their time, but had magnetic personalities about them. It is still a shock to me to comprehend that Toriano isn't with us anymore.

"Certain people are above life, and he was one who had an almost angelic feel about him. And when it comes to our club we will come together and he will always be in our thoughts and minds.

"It is hard as a club as all over racing, seldom do you have deaths. Injuries are an occurrence, but this to happen to our club is a real blow. We are a family as well so now is the time to come together again and help each other through this."

Group president David Jones said Toriano could have gone on to take part in the MotoGP, the world championship of motorcycle racing.

"He was a great kid, fun-loving really, a jokester. He was well-liked by everybody," said Mr. Jones.

"He could have gone right through to MotoGP: he was that good."

Mr. Jones said former world champion Kevin Schwantz, who coached Toriano, had earmarked the youngster as a potential world champion himself.

Sports Minister El James offered condolences to the family on behalf of Government.

Mr. James said in a statement: "It is heart-wrenching for the entire Bermuda community that someone so young, and with so much talent, should have their life cut short in such an unfortunate accident.

"The Department of Youth and Sports had worked with Toriano in his efforts to launch his young career, and we are shocked and saddened at his untimely passing. Our only consolation is that Toriano died doing what he loved doing best.

"Toriano will always be remembered as one of Bermuda's best motorcycle racing talents. His achievements on the track had already cemented his reputation as a skilled rider and fierce competitor at such an early age. My thoughts and prayers as well as those of the staff within the Ministry and indeed the entire country are with his family at this time."

Competition organisers the American Motorcyclist Association said in a statement: "The AMA and Red Bull have a long history in racing and every effort is made to create the safest possible environment for all participants.

"Unfortunately, racing also carries inherent risks. This was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with both families at this time."