THE WORST FEARS of JT McNamara’s friends, family and well-wishers have been confirmed – the jockey has suffered paralysis following a fall at Cheltenham earlier this month.
The 37-year-old suffered a serious neck injury which resulted in paralysis at the Cheltenham Festival on 14 March.
McNamara was injured following a fall, from Galaxy Rock, in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup. He was airlifted to Frenchbay Hospital in Bristol, where he has been since.
A statement on the Limerick jockey’s well-being was issued jointly by Dr Adrian McGoldrick, Irish Turf Club Senior Medical Officer and Lisa Hancock, chief executive Injured Jockeys Fund, on behalf of the McNamara family.
The statement read: “JT McNamara remains in the Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. Whilst he suffered a serious neck injury resulting in paralysis, he has made progress in the last week and is in a very positive frame of mind.
“He is greatly appreciative of the many messages, cards and letters received and also wishes to thank the Frenchay Hospital who are looking after him so well.”
McNamara hopes to return to convalesce in Dublin when medical staff deem it possible.
