area 51

The chief of East Pembroke Fire has ordered Area 51 to shut down its motocross races.

When a first responder informed the chief, a person at the races said, "There's no way that's going to happen," the chief responded, "Tell him if he doesn't shut it down, I'm going to have him arrested."

There have been multiple calls to the dirt track today for injuries and the latest call is requiring a Mercy Flight dispatch.  There are reportedly more than a couple of people currently in need of treatment for injuries.

Mercy EMS is tied up on multiple calls so Alexander's ambulance has been dispatched to the scene.  Darien is being asked to staff its ambulance because of the current ambulance shortage.

Area 51 is located at 3323 Harloff Road, Batavia.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

Mercy Flight has been dispatched to Area 51 for an injured motorcycle rider.

At the time of the dispatch the rider was unconscious.

East Pembroke fire is on scene.

UPDATE: Patient was airlifted to ECMC. 

A 16-year-old male lost consciousness for a little over a minute after an ATV accident on the track at Area 51. The boy's helmet came off, but no mention of whether this occured before or after impact. He is coming to consciousness. Mercy Flight is being dispatched to the scene. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are also responding.

UPDATE 1:52 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne and headed to ECMC.

UPDATE 1:54 p.m.: Responders are back in service.

Area 51 on Harloff Road, Batavia, hosted hundreds of racers from throughout the Northeast and Canada this weekend for the track's 7th Annual Can Am A.I.R. races.

A 14-year-old boy with a head injury will require Mercy Flight transportation to a hospital. He's a rider at the Area 51 motocross track in East Pembroke, located at 3500 Harloff Road.

The Batavia helicopter is responding, along with Mercy Medics and East Pembroke Fire Department.

He's believed to be in the "far left area" of the facility.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

A 50-something male suffered an upper leg injury in a dirt bike accident at the Area 51 motocross track. Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. The track is located at 3323 Harloff Road. The patient is in the very back of the riding area.

I was out at Area 51 yesterday to watch the races and take some photos. I had a great time and figured I would share a few. If you have never been there, you are really missing out on one of the great attractions in Genesee County! 

A young rider waves to the camera, making it look easy! He's in the 7-11 age group!

Four more photos after the jump:

Two riders battle for the lead during the final lap!

Photos by Destin Danser

A motocross rider is unconscious after crashing his bike at Area 51, located at 3500 Harloff Road in Batavia. The accident "is way up on top of the hill."

The availability of Mercy Flight is being checked.

Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE (5:05 p.m.): Mercy Flight out of Batavia is in the air.

UPDATE (5:12 p.m.): Mercy Flight has landed.

UPDATE (5:43 p.m.): Mercy Flight is airborne, headed to Strong Memorial Hospital.

This weekend Area 51 Motocross hosted their biggest event of the season, The Can/Am Air.

Saturday gave competitors a chance to get in some practice time on the main track, and featured a grass race and the Dunlop "Minicross" race. The minicross race was a chance to introduce young kids to the sport in a safer and less competitive environment.

Sunday was the main event, which was expected to bring out 600 riders to compete for over $40,000 worth of prizes. There were 19 classes ranging from "schoolboy" (ages 12-16) to the women's 50+ category and everything in between.

The competition was tough, and the racers really pushed their limits to try and get on the podium. Every racer I talked to couldn't wait to come back next year, Thank you to everyone at Area 51 for putting on such an awesome event!!

2 young riders fighting for the win in Saturday's minicross race

More photos after the jump:

A rider tries to hang on to the lead in the grass race.

Trying to get around the corner as fast as possible.

Huge air time, it is amazing what these guys are capable of.

A 12-year-old motocross rider is reported to have neck and back injuries after crashing at Area 51.

That's on Harloff Road in Batavia. East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responded. Mercy Flight is deemed not needed.

A reader provided this mobile phone photo of Mercy Flight at Area 51. A motocross rider reportedly suffered a back injury in an accident this evening.

More information if it becomes available.

Today was race day at Area 51 Motocross. I thought it would be interesting to head out to the dirt bike track and snap a few photographs.

More pictures after the jump: