Grade 1-winning jockey Matt Griffiths in intensive care after car crash

Grade 1-winning jockey Matt Griffiths is in a stable but critical condition with a serious head injury after being involved in a fatal road accident on Sunday.

Griffiths, 31, was driving near the village of Exford on Exmoor in Somerset when the car collided with a tree at around 8.45pm.

The police report of the single-car accident said the passenger, a 27-year-old man, died at the scene, while Griffiths suffered a serious head injury and was transported to hospital in Bristol.

Avon and Somerset Police issued an appeal for information on Tuesday, and a statement from the force said: "At about 8.45pm [on Sunday], a BMW 430 with two occupants was in collision with a tree. The passenger, a 27-year-old man, sadly died at the scene from his injuries.

"The driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered a serious head injury and was taken to hospital.

"If you have any information which could help our investigation, please call us on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5221230833."

A statement released by the Injured Jockeys' Fund on Monday evening said: "There was a fatal car accident yesterday near Exford on Exmoor.

"National Hunt jockey Matt Griffiths was involved in this and having been taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol is now in a stable but critical condition.

"His family have asked for privacy at this difficult time."

Griffiths, who had his first ride in December 2008, has won 139 races from 1,300 rides, with his best campaigns numerically coming in 2011-12 and 2018-19 when he rode 18 winners.

His most regular supporter has been Somerset-based trainer Jeremy Scott, who has provided the jockey with over half of his career victories including a memorable triumph on Dashel Drasher in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February.

The pair forged clear of Master Tommytucker to provide a first victory at the highest level for Griffiths, who had been set to ride Dashel Drasher in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival the following month before he was declared a non-runner on account of the ground.

Griffiths has also ridden regularly for Nicky Martin and was on board The Two Amigos when finishing a close second to Secret Reprieve in this year's Welsh Grand National. He has taken 11 rides so far this season without winning.

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