British rider Craig Jones has died following his accident in the British round of the World Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch.

The 23-year-old Parkalgar Honda rider was fighting for victory in the race when he fell at Clark Curve and was hit by a following rider.

The race was immediately stopped and Jones received medical attention at the circuit before being air-lifted to the Royal London Hospital for further treatment, but despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of this morning (Monday).

"I am so desperately sad that Craig died from the injuries he sustained at Brands Hatch yesterday," Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of Brands Hatch owners Motorsport Vision said. "He was a really super young guy and only on the Saturday evening was I chatting to him in the paddock with him telling me about his WSB ambitions for 2009. Craig was so determined and professional, would always say hello and enthusiastically keep me in touch with his progress."

"Britain has lost a wonderful rider whom I admired enormously and had every chance of being a future World champion. It is fitting that the abiding memory so many of us will have of Craig was him riding brilliantly, battling for the lead of an incredible race, in front of his home crowd. It seems barely believable that such a freak accident claimed his life and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends."