JOCKEY Jason Taylor says he has ‘cheated death’ after he was crushed and kicked in a horror fall.
The Aussie suffered a punctured lung, nine broken ribs and facial injuries but is now thankfully recovering in hospital.
His horse reared up before the off in a barrier trial and crushed the 48-year-old in the freak accident.
He was rushed to hospital but is now on the mend, saying he ‘dodged a bullet’ after a severe kick to the head.
At the Gold Coast University Hospital, Taylor has thanked those who have offered their support and won’t be retiring from the saddle anytime soon despite the incident.
The veteran told Racenet: “I am glad to be alive but I do think things could have gone the other way quite quickly.
“I remember the horse laying on top of me and thrashing and I do remember getting kicked in the head but my next memory was getting needles from the ambos.
“I have got patchy recollections of how it evolved but the barrier staff and the ambos were absolutely marvellous.
“The messages and the support from people in racing has been overwhelming.
“I haven’t been able to answer anyone really, my wife has been there answering all the messages, it’s just been amazing all the well wishers.”
And Taylor’s family have been by his side ever since. Daughter Jess has been hands on in her help.
Taylor hopes to be out hospital soon and won’t be giving up the day job just yet.
He added: “I had been making good progress and but I went downhill last night and I was struggling a lot this morning.
“I’m just taking it each day as it comes, it’s just baby steps now.
“I have fractured nine ribs and have got a hole in my right lung and the lung has got a little bit of blood and fluids in it.
“The main concern is keeping my lungs moving and making sure I am getting enough oxygen in the right lung.
“I’m keen to get back into it, although obviously my body will take time to repair. The injuries were quite significant.”
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