A nine-year-old little girl has died after a tragic accident while riding motocross at a motorsports park.
Brooke Carlton was killed in a "freak accident" after she collided with another rider while riding her off-road motorbike at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in California. The collision occurred just before 10 am when Brooke was hit by another young rider.
The young girl fell unconscious and was given first aid, while the other rider was treated for minor injuries on the spot. The emergency responders arrived and transported her to a local hospital, but, she couldn't be saved, as confirmed by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
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A GoFundMe created by Ally Giles has raised $44,719 (£34,952) through 561 donations. She wrote: "Hi there, at this time, I’m helping the Carltons in any and all ways possible to help their family and any financial situations that they may have during this trying time as they attempt to cope and recover at the loss of their daughter in a motocross accident.
"Our hearts are completely shattered at the sudden and absolutely tragic loss of Jason and Angie’s very own Brooke Carlton. For those that knew Brooke, she was an absolute sweetheart that could brighten anyone’s day with her warm smile and bright blonde halo of curls.
"For those that REALLY knew Brooke, she was a total spitfire that knew what she wanted and there was no way of getting around it. One look at her glittering eyes and toothy smile and she could have you convinced that the sky was indeed pink and purple, and that you should 'buy her an ice cream' because of it. She loved her parents. She loved her dog Gunner. She loved her grandparents. She loved her brother Landon the most."
It went on to give a message from Brooke's family, saying: "FROM THE CARLTONS: Yesterday the good Lord called our dear Brooke Lily to heaven after a freak accident at a local motocross track. Our entire family is still trying to understand why our Brookie, but we firmly believe that God needed her and called her home to be with him.
"While we take this time to be with our family, PLEASE lift our family into your thoughts and prayers, and hold your loved ones a little tighter for us as we try to navigate through this sudden hurdle in our lives. We love you always and forever Brooke Lily. #irideforbrooke."
At just nine years old, Brooke was an ambassador for the motorsports clothing brand Go Fast Girls, according to her profile on its website. The tagline for Brooke's profile reads, "I ain't worried about it!".
While her bio says: "Hi! My name is Brooke Carlton and I am 8 years old. I just started racing motocross in the Southern California area and I am gearing up to race BMX too! I love to be out on the track competing with other girls and going fast!"
The collision is currently under investigation by officials from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, and the Traffic Bureau. The motorsports park where the crash took place offered its support to Brooke's family in a statement saying: "We are truly sad about the situation.
"This was such a freak accident as the parent said. This is not a time to bash the track but a time to remember this little girl and support her family. We are a community and we will do our part in supporting the family as well."