Jockey Shane McGovern in coma and risks losing legs after horse dies
Australian jockey Shane McGovern has been placed in an induced coma and could lose both legs after spending six hours trapped beneath a deceased horse following a training accident.
The 67-year-old was pinned beneath his nine-year-old gelding, Reformist, during a routine morning ride on Wednesday.
The animal suffered a sudden fatal aneurysm, collapsing on top of the veteran rider and cutting off circulation to his lower extremities.
It was not until six hours later that his wife, Kim, finally discovered the harrowing scene.
Wife’s desperate discovery
She had initially assumed her husband was simply undertaking an extended training session ahead of a scheduled race the following Monday.
Upon locating the stricken horseman, she recalled a ghostly arm slowly rising from beneath the fallen animal.
“I’m absolutely kicking myself, and it’s a thing I will never forget. This ghoulish little arm comes up and he says, ‘I’m all right.'”
Fears of permanent nerve damage
The experienced rider is currently receiving specialist care at Townsville Hospital, where his condition remains highly critical.
King Ring, a health and safety officer for the Australian Jockeys’ Association, warned that the prolonged compression has caused severe medical complications.
“He couldn’t move his legs so that naturally affected his blood circulation and caused nerve damage as well. There’s a possibility he may lose one or both legs.”
Induced coma to aid recovery
Surgeons have already operated on the injured athlete, with medical staff closely monitoring his calves for tissue damage and potential infection.
Despite initially being conscious, the immense physical trauma and powerful medication caused severe hallucinations and hyperventilation.
“They knocked him back out into an induced coma, put the breathing tube back in to give his body a rest and they’ll keep him like that for a couple of days.”
The immediate prognosis remains deeply uncertain as specialists wait to determine if the horseman will permanently lose the use of his legs.
