Marty Smith death: Legendary motocross champion and wife die in dune buggy crash aged 63

Three-time American National Motocross champion and Hall of Fame rider Marty Smith has been killed in a dune buggy accident along with his wife Nancy, aged 63.

The American Motorcyclist Association great died on Monday after a crash on the Imperial sand dunes in the Californian desert along with his wife, according to close friend Lee Ramage.

Ramage and his wife Tammi were also in the dune buggy when it crashed, but the pair escaped unhurt.

“It’s with the heaviest, grieving heart that I have to tell you Marty and Nancy Smith were killed yesterday in a rollover accident in his dune buggy at the Imperial sand dunes,” Ramage wrote on Facebook. “This is a photo of Marty and Nancy’s last few hours.

“My wife, Tammi and I were in the buggy and were unhurt. We spent at least an hour trying to save their lives before first responders arrived. Marty took his last breath while I was holding his head, keeping his airway clear.

“Marty was my best friend and I tried with everything in me to save him while Tammi tried to save Nancy.

“More details to come. There is so much to know about this man and how he wanted to leave this earth when God called him. Please keep his children, Jillyin, Brooke and Tyler and all his grandkids in your prayers.”

American outlet TMZ reports that Smith was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and was declared dead at the scene one first responders arrived, while Nancy died after being airlifted to hospital, having been understood to be wearing a lap belt in the back of the buggy.

Smith won 18 national motocross titles, and won his first championship in the 125cc class at the age of 18 in 1874. He would retain the title the following year, before going on to win the 500cc championship class in 1977. After suffering a dislocated hip in 1978, he lost confidence in his riding when competing and retired in 1981.

The American Motorcyclist Association inducted Smith into its Hall of Fame in 2000, and described him as “one of the most stylish riders in motocross history” and labelled him “the first teen idol in motocross” due to his “long hair and youthful good looks”.

All of his title triumphs came in riding for Honda, despite a two-year stint with Suzuki at the end of his career, and the San Diego native’s legacy triggered a number of tributes on social media.

"I'll never forget Marty approaching me in 2013 & believing in me when not many did," said Scott Champion, a current motocross star who benefitted from Smith’s switch to a rider coach. "Working with Marty in 2014 & 2015 were some of the best times of my life that I will never forget! You will be missed by many my friend!"

Motocross clothing brand JT Racing added: "We are devastated by the passing today of motocross legend, Marty Smith and his wife Nancy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the entire motocross community."