TEEN jockey Conner McCann will undergo an MRI scan today – as his horrific injuries after a fall at Kelso were revealed in full.
McCann was rushed to hospital on Saturday after coming down from the Lucinda Russell-trained Diamond State.
The jockey, 18, was left motionless on the ground and a jump had to be omitted as medics rushed to treat him.
Russell’s partner Peter Scudamore said they initially ‘feared the worst’ as the young rider was taken to hospital.
Fortunately he is now conscious, awake and even texting his girlfriend, according to Scudamore, but nursing a shocking list of injuries.
Russell tweeted that he had two broken ribs and is suspected to have fractured his back in four places.
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She wrote: “From Conner McCann’s mother #getwellsoonConner – Update on Conner McCann after his horrific fall at Kelso racecourse, sorry it’s taken so long but information has been in short supply, he was transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
“He has two broken ribs, three fractures in his thoracic vertebrae and a suspect fracture in C6 vertebrae, and a tiny fracture of his fibula, luckily no head injury.
“He is due an MRI scan on Monday to check his fractured vertebrae and we will know more about recovery then.
“Conner’s first words to me were, ‘How’s Diamond, is my horse OK are you sure he’s OK?’
“Thanks to very one who has expressed concern over Conner’s fall and wished him a speedy recovery. Diamond State is perfect.”
McCann fell at the second hurdle of the 2m5f contest won by 15-2 Romeo Brown for trainer Sue Smith and jockey Thomas Willmott.
Scudamore told Sky Sports: “I believe Conner is better than we first thought.
“We thought initially he may have broken his legs, but he has a cracked vertebra and some cracked ribs, and a cut on his head.
“He was texting his girlfriend, so he must have been compos mentis and OK to do that. I think it is better than we first feared.
“He is in hospital in Edinburgh, so when we are allowed, we will go and see him. Everybody was worried. We feared the worst.
“It is looking better, but it is still serious and he will be out of action for some time I should think, but at least he is telling us what the injuries are and all we can do is hope that he makes a speedy recovery.”
Claimer McCann had four wins from just 13 rides over jumps – and had returned to racing only the day before his fall having been out injured since January.
