Jockey Major Charlie O’Shea is making "good progress" from intensive care after a horror fall at Wincanton.
The amateur rider was airlifted to hospital following his unseat from Paudie on the weekend card. O'Shea, 40, has been treated for "serious chest injuries" after he was trampled by a rival runner in the New John Dufosee Novices' Hunters' Chase.
Yesterday, the Injured Jockeys' Fund confirmed the sportsman was under sedation in intensive care, as medics assessed his condition. On Tuesday afternoon, the IJF gave more details about the injury O'Shea suffered at the racecourse. “Major Charlie O’Shea is making good progress in Bristol Southmead Hospital where he has been treated for a flail chest sustained during his fall on Sunday," a spokesperson said.
"This was a serious injury which occurs when multiple ribs are fractured on both sides of the chest disrupting the bellows mechanism which allows us to breathe in and out. Charlie was put on a ventilator to support his breathing directly after the injury. It was initially thought he may need cardiothoracic surgery to repair his chest wall injuries, but this now seems less likely, his sedation has been reduced and he has been able to come off the ventilator.
"His wife Kate has been able to spend time with him and reports he is sitting up in bed and talking. It is hoped he will be able to leave intensive care in the next few days.
"Charlie and his family are extremely grateful for the care and expertise of the hospital staff and the good wishes from the racing community.”
Earlier this season, O'Shea gained his first success in the historic Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown on Rolling Dylan. The naval gunfire liaison officer in the Royal Artillery reserves, who lives in Cornwall, was given his trophy by Princess Anne.
O'Shea previously served with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and he has five wins on his record at professional tracks. Two have been on Rolling Dylan, with the other three on Keltus, a horse he owns, within the past year.
He finished third on the grey in a handicap chase just over an hour before his accident. At the time, Wincanton clerk of the course Daniel Cooper said: "Charlie unseated in the last race and received medical attention.
"The doctors wanted to focus on that and we only had a bumper to go, we felt we needed to focus on that with the medical resources we had.
"A second air ambulance was also in attendance and following assessment by the expert medical team on course, Charlie O'Shea was conscious and transported to Southmead Hospital. We extend our best wishes to Charlie and further updates will be provided by the Amateur Jockeys Association as soon as possible."
