The Victorian racing community is mourning the death of veteran trainer Steve Richards following a tragic accident last week.

The 70-year-old had been in a coma after falling out of a tram and hitting his head on the ground in Melbourne.

His family forecast a long road to recovery, before RV confirmed on Thursday that Richards had succumbed to his injuries.

He is survived by wife Maryanne and daughters Brooke and Laura.

“Racing Victoria extends its heartfelt condolences on behalf of the entire Victorian racing industry to the family and friends of Steve Richards on the news of his passing in such tragic circumstances,” RV chief executive Aaron Morrison said.

“Our thoughts are also with the trainers and staff at Flemington where Steve was a very popular and hard-working member of the training ranks for many years, along with the numerous jockeys who rode for him throughout his training career.

“Steve was a highly respected trainer, especially for his ability to identify and develop young horses, and he also was someone that was willing to help others further their careers in the sport which is a great quality.”

Richards trained two Group 1 winners — 20 years apart, in 1990 and 2010 — in a lengthy career that began in the 1970s as an apprentice jockey.

“I have known Steve my whole life, and Flemington will not be the same without seeing his smiling face each morning,” Australian Trainers’ Association president Troy Corstens said.

“Steve Richards was a VRC trainer in the truest sense. He understood this place. He understood horses and he understood people.

“As a judge of a yearling, he was outstanding. Steve had an eye that very few in this industry could match when he was given the chance.

“But beyond his ability, it was his work ethic and love for the animal that truly set him apart. He was always there, always working, and always doing it for the right reasons.

“Flemington has lost one of its own. More broadly, Victorian racing and its training ranks have lost a good man. And those of us lucky enough to have known Steve have lost a friend we will carry with us always.”

Richards’ first Group 1 victory came at Caulfield when Ark Regal won the 1990 Futurity Stakes.

Two decades later he triumphed in Adelaide with Rostova, who also won a Group 2 race at Flemington for one of Richards’ best results at his home track.

In 2016 he suffered spleen, rib and lung injuries after one of his horses kicked him with two feet.

But Richards recovered and returned to training, with his last winner at any level coming via Punic War in Horsham earlier this year.