Two men were rushed to hospital under police escort after sustaining serious injuries in a motocross crash beside a Dundee Travellers’ site.
Eyewitnesses reported that a large number of police units arrived in the wake of the accident as local youths became involved in a standoff with members of a large Travelling community currently illegally encamped at Camperdown Leisure Park.
It is understood that a motocross bikecollided with at least five other vehicles atthe leisure park at around 5pm yesterday,sparking the major emergency response.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “Two people were taken to hospital following a motocross accident on the Camperdown Leisure Park.
“I can confirm that members of the Travelling community did become involved in the incident.”
One eyewitness told The Courier: “I saw seven or eight police cars, two police bikes and three ambulances arrive in quick succession at the Ice Arena car park at around 5pm.
“There appeared to be some local youths involved in a standoff with the Travellers and some were led away from the Traveller camp by the police.
“One ambulance left a short time later with a two car escort and another left soon after.
“There were a number of local youths hanging around but whether they were taunting the police or the Travellers I can’t really say.
“Within half an our the police were gone and things had quietened down.”
The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed that it had despatched three units to the scene of a motocross accident.
A spokesman said two casualties had been conveyed to Ninewells Hospital.
The Camperdown Leisure Park is a popular location for young motocross riders.
Locals said their chosen area of waste ground for riding had been occupied by Travellers for the best part of a fortnight.
There are around 25 caravans making up a significant illicit campsite on the park.