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JT McNamara Jockey In Coma After Fall
- Published_at:2013-03-15
- Category:News & Politics
- Channel:NightwalkersView
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- description: Jockey JT McNamara has been put into a coma after suffering a serious neck injury during a horse race at the Cheltenham Gold Cup festival. The Irishman, 37, fell at the first fence while riding Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on Thursday. Medical staff were quickly on hand to treat him and he was taken to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol by air ambulance from the Gloucestershire course. It is understood he was placed in an induced coma, which is sometimes done to restrict movement and prevent damage to nerves. According to racing presenter Claire Balding, two of his vertebrae were damaged. He is due to undergo an MRI or CT scan and more is expected to be known about his condition later. McNamara's uncle, the trainer Andrew McNamara, said: "I've been told that JT is in an induced coma at the moment." Dr Adrian McGoldrick, chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club, said: "JT has suffered a serious neck injury. He is being looked after at the regional spinal unit but as yet he is still waiting for a scan. "So what we know so far is that he has a neck injury, but we will know far more in the morning when hopefully he will have had his scan." Dr McGoldrick told The Times: "He was conscious after the fall but having difficulty breathing. As his injuries could not be determined, he was put into a coma and a spinal board used." Champion jockey AP McCoy told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a dangerous sport and it's a sight that you see that unfortunately crops up; we're very lucky we have excellent medical care. We just hope he's going to be OK." Racing presenter Clare Balding later tweeted: "Thoughts are with JT McNamara, who has a serious neck injury (C3 and C4). Further assessment in the morning." His horse Galaxy Rock was reported to be unhurt. McNamara, real first names John Thomas, is one of Ireland's leading amateur jockeys. As well as four victories at the Cheltenham Festival, he has ridden 602 winners. Another Irish jockey, Davy Russell, also spent the night in hospital after suffering a punctured lung, The Times said. He was kicked after falling from Un Beau Matin on Wednesday and had his lung drained on Thursday. Meanwhile, racing pundit John McCririck's condition has been described as "improving" after he was treated in Cheltenham General Hospital. McCririck complained of feeling unwell during the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday and was taken to hospital. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the four-day race meeting, which is one of the highlights of the national hunt season. Gate receipts are estimated to reach £7m and bookmakers are anticipating a record-breaking year with industry turnover tipped to surpass the £600m barrier.
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