NorthEast Motorcycle Road Racing (NEMRR) Executive Director John Grush, age 63, has been hospitalized after suffering an off-track medical emergency during a NEMRR event Saturday, August 5 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, in Loudon, New Hampshire.

“John had just got off the bike. He was fine,” said Eric Wood, NEMRR Technical Director and a close friend of Grush. “He was literally walking around laughing, joking with people. He was still in his leathers. He went to walk to the media center in the middle of the paddock and just collapsed and smashed his head as he did it.

“I was in my garage and didn’t know it happened until I looked up and saw Noelle [Doucette, NEMRR Series Director] running towards me at a full sprint. ‘John fell! John fell!’

“She went and got the ambulance crew. I didn’t think anything of it at first. ‘John tripped and fell over and hit his head. He’ll be alright.’

“I walked over there and he was basically non-responsive, and I was like, ‘Uh-oh! That’s not good.’

“The ambulance showed up and treated him. They had to shock him [with a defibrillator] once, and they loaded him on the truck and shipped him out.

“He’s currently in the ICU [Intensive Care Unit at Concord Hospital, in Concord, New Hampshire] being cared for, and we’re waiting for the outcome of some tests. It’s going to be a few days before we know exactly what’s going on, but at this point we’re hopeful for a full recovery.”

Wood said Grush’s wife and both of his children were at his side at the hospital.

We will provide updates on Grush as new information becomes available.

Update: John Grush has regained consciousness and is talking to hospital staff and his family.