Rising star Craig (23) was thrown off his Honda bike and appeared to be hit by another bike during a race at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent.

Craig died with his father and girlfriend by his side at the Royal London Hospital.

Craig, who lived in Warmington, near Oundle, suffered severe head injuries, and doctors put him into an induced coma in an effort to stabilise his condition.

Today, the Parkalgar Honda team, for which he raced, announced that the star had died in the early hours.

Thousands of fans at the famous race track had watched in horror as Craig was thrown on to the track and then apparently struck by another bike at high speed.

A trackside medical team worked on him before he was airlifted to hospital.

The race was abandoned and Craig was awarded second place as he had been fighting for the lead when the accident happened on a bend.

Craig was one of Britain's brightest hopes in world championship motorcycle racing, and last year he finished fifth in the World Supersport Championship and was named young rider of the year.

Today, Parkalgar Honda team manager Simon Buckmaster said: "It is with great sadness that we learned Craig passed away in the early hours.

"The team's thoughts are with Craig's family and friends at this very difficult time.

"Craig's family passes on thanks to all well-wishers."

Yesterday's accident was greeted with shock in motorcycle racing circles and, locally, fans had been following Craig's progress in the sport with avid interest.

In 2005, the young racer finished runner-up in the British Supersport Championship before moving to the World Superbike Championship for 2006.

Posting on the city-based internet site MCN (Motorcycle News), stunned fans have spoken of their shock at seeing the crash.

Craig was seventh in the World Supersport championship going into the weekend's race.

Craig, who has been riding motorbikes from the age of three, won the British Junior Mino Moto title at the age of 11, and contested the British Superteen Championships in 1999.

From there, it was on to claim the British Junior Superstock Championship title, take second place in the British Supersport Championships and riding in the Superbike World Championships for British racing legend Carl Fogarty's Foggy Petronas team.

10.25am update: Parkalgar Honda have announced that Craig Jones has died in hospital with his family at his side.

Monday, 8am: Oundle motorbike race ace Craig Jones is fighting for his life in hospital today after a horror crash at Brands Hatch.

Parkalgar Honda rider Jones was taken to the Royal London hospital after a crash during the ninth round of the World Supersport Championship yesterday.

The 23-year-old was battling for the race lead when the accident happened at Clark Curve.

The race was stopped and red-flagged with the result going back to the previous lap as medical staff attended him on the track.

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: "Craig was treated trackside by the medical staff before being transferred by air-ambulance to the Royal London Hospital.

"He has a serious head injury and the doctors have placed him in a pharmacological coma to stabilise his condition. We will not know any more for at least 24 or 48-hours – all our thoughts are with him and his family.

"I would like to thank the medical staff for their attention and also the well-wishers for their thoughts. We shall update the news on Craig's condition as and when we can."